13 innovative new gardening must-haves
It’s the most coveted prize in the horticultural sundries world – which finalist will win the RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year 2017? The competition was launched in 2011 to recognise the best new garden products. A judging panel of garden journalists, industry buyers, and business entrepreneurs assess the product finalists. They take into account innovation, visual appeal, functionality, quality, value for money and sustainability.
The winner of the 2017 RHS Chelsea Garden Product of the Year competition will be awarded at the show on Press Day, Monday, May 22 and will be chosen by a team of experts, including entrepreneur and Dragons’ Den investor, Deborah Meaden. The finalists will be available to buy throughout the show and online.
Chelsea Garden Product of the Year finalists
EasyCut 12, by Bosch Lawn & Garden, RRP £119.99, www.bosch-garden.co.uk
A compact, cordless, all-purpose saw provides easy, vibration-free sawing for indoor and outdoor use. Using the world’s first NanoBLADE technology, the EasyCut 12 is extremely versatile and is able to saw in two directions.
BigBoyAir, by OutdoorBeanbag.com, RRP £59, www.bigboybeanbag.com
A vibrant, inflatable garden lounger chair, versatile for all gardens.
Bulkhead Outdoor Light in Antiqued Brass, by Jim Lawrence Lighting and Home, RRP £159, www.jim-lawrence.co.uk
A solid brass light, designed to stand the test of time.
Harrod Metal Planters & Raised Beds, by Harrod Horticultural, RRP from £89, www.harrodhorticultural.com
Combining technical innovation and contemporary aesthetics, these high-quality metal planters and raised beds have kitchen gardens, urban settings and landscaping applications in mind.
From hands-free to sculpture
Hip-Trug, by Burgon & Ball Ltd, RRP from £9.99, www.burgonandball.com
An ingenious, wearable trug that clips to clothing comfortably, leaving your hands free for harvesting and deadheading.
Leda and the Swan, by Chilstone, RRP £499, www.chilstone.com
A sleek statue depicting the fabled seduction of Leda by Zeus in swan form at the conception of Helen of Troy. Handcrafted using Chilstone’s newly developed marble and resin mix stone, it is suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
Levity Two Chairs and Table Set, by Gaze Burvill Ltd, RRP £2,400 + VAT, www.gazeburvill.com
From its outdoor collection of dining furniture, this set uses durable European oak; the contemporary design features two interlocking parts. The table can be delivered flat and assembled on-site for ease of access to terraces and smaller spaces.
Permafelt by Agralan, RRP from £11.20, www.agralan.co.uk
Created with felt made from recycled plastic bottles, Permafelt offers gardeners a product for plants to grow through, with weed control and moisture retention.
Chelsea Garden Product of the Year finalists – Pricy choices
6’ x 8’ Pure Glass Greenhouse, by Pure Glass Greenhouse, RRP £3,500, www.puregreenhouse.co.uk
Breaking away from tradition, this design is robust and frameless. Maximising the sunlight to plants, the Pure Glass Greenhouse has 10 mm thick glass and offers an elegant design to be on show in your garden.
Quiver, by David Harber Ltd, RRP £5,760, www.davidharber.com
Designed to reflect the sky and surrounding foliage, this beautiful sculpture is reminiscent of swaying crops. Featuring leaf-shaped pieces of mirrored stainless steel atop stems of oxidised steel, this is a dramatic piece that uplights at night for impact.
Solus 1.2m Water Dome, by Solus Decor, RRP £3,900, www.solusdecor.co.uk
For a simple and modern water feature, the Solus Water Dome provides a beautiful water bowl with clean curvaceous lines and is totally self-circulating.
Uuni Pro, by Uuni-Tapaninaho Ltd, RRP from £449, www.uuni.net
For those who love to cook outdoors, this is the first quad-fuelled outdoor oven. Ideal for cooking pizzas and large joints of meat, as well as roasting vegetables and baking bread, this oven is made of high-grade stainless steel with a sleek design.
Vigoroot Easy Table Garden, by Haxnicks Ltd, RRP £49.99, www.haxnicks.co.uk
With an integral self-watering system, this is a raised and easily accessible fabric planter that maximises growing space in small areas.
For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea.
