Overview
- RHS Chelsea 2026 will feature Melanie Hick’s The Nocturnal Garden for the Bat Conservation Trust, with minimal lighting, a low‑edge pond, bat boxes and a 10‑foot bat sculpture to demonstrate bat‑friendly design.
- Bats are presented as indicator species for healthy gardens, so planting mostly native, diverse species and extending bloom from spring through late autumn is advised.
- Tall, pale or night‑scented flowers that draw moths—such as evening primrose, night‑scented stock, oregano, foxgloves, roses and oxeye daisies—are highlighted for boosting insect prey.
- Garden management tips include layered planting, leaving some logs and leaf litter for insect shelter, and adding ponds or small water features that provide drinking spots and aquatic larvae.
- The charity recommends dark‑sky lighting, avoiding uplighters, fitting dimmers or hoods on security lights, and placing roost boxes near tree lines or feeding areas, with the show garden later moving to Clydach Community Garden in Swansea.