Inside all the small balcony and container gardens at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022

The September RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 is in full swing. For the first time in 108 years, the RHS has recognised small balcony and container gardens following on from the surge of gardeners in lockdown. While these smaller spaces weren't judged like other Chelsea gardens, they certainly provide heaps of inspiration.

"We are really excited to introduce these two new garden categories to the show this year, following the huge resurgence in gardening during the pandemic," Helena Pettit, RHS Director of Gardens and Shows, says. "We want to show the thousands who visit the world's greatest flower show and the millions who watch the BBC coverage at home just what you can do with next to no outdoor space."

Looking for ideas on how to design a small space? Take a look at the 10 beautiful balconies and container gardens below...

With an outdoor kitchen and space to relax, The Potting Balcony Garden rethinks how we can use limited outdoor spaces for hands-on gardening.

William Murray says: "The balcony offers a practical place to sow seeds, pot up plants and propagate cuttings, utilising smart garden technology to nurture micro-greens and seedlings ready for the kitchen and for transfer to an allotment or community garden."

We love this beautiful balcony space, which has been designed to encourage visitors to consider integrating live plants into their bird-feeding regime. Highlights include the Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius), a carpet of green moss and various 'hatch' latticeworks frames.

Celebrating the joys of small spaces, this charming balcony garden includes vivid block colours, privacy-giving planting, cosy cushions for reclining and lots of green.

Designer Tom adds: "The garden is designed as a solitary experience – for meditation, contemplation and reflection – as we should all enjoy time by ourselves."

The Cirrus Garden features wildflowers, perennials, herbs, a seating area, a vegetable garden and a fish pond, which is inspired by Jason's experience of living with an 18th-floor balcony garden. With a focus on biodiversity, it aims to provide a tranquil setting for mental health.

This container garden, inspired by a Mallorcan landscape, utilises the colours and stone textures of the Mediterranean through artisan elements. Key features include a hand-rendered stone-effect wall, fabric screens, planters, and a reclaimed timber and granite boulder bench. Heading to Chelsea? Make sure to visit this one.

An egg chair takes centre stage at the Mandala, Meditation and Mindfulness Garden. Inspired by conditions imposed by the pandemic, this container garden has been created to offer a safe haven from the world around us. Expect to find buzzing bees, running water and a muted violet wall with a mandala.

WINNER: Silver Gilt medal winner

"Inspired by a rainy garden in Manchester, this container garden is designed to thrive in wet conditions, influenced by UK forests whose lush foliage is energised and born out of the regularity of rainy weather," says Bea.

"It features robust, deep green planting with waxy textures that glisten when wet, as well as ferns that hold raindrops in the soft spaces between their leaves."