London
A whimsical retreat created in collaboration with Blue Forest
For the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, RSL partnered with Blue Forest Treehouses to create The Magical Hideaway, a fairytale-inspired garden installation that blended playful architecture with refined landscape design. Conceived as an enchanted hillside hollow nestled within a meadow-like planting scheme, the stand invited visitors into a world of woodland imagination and natural charm.
The design centred on a sculptural treehouse set into a curved, planted roof that formed the “hideaway.” Blue Forest’s timber structure provided the architectural heart of the space, while RSL’s surrounding garden brought softness, movement and seasonal colour. A palette of naturalistic meadow planting — greens, whites and soft tonal accents — created a light, airy atmosphere that complemented the organic form of the hideaway.
Led by Design Director Gavin and Associate Landscape Architect Emma, the planting design drew on the gentle rhythm of a forest edge. Specimen trees, including a multi-stem Carpinus betulus, anchored the garden and strengthened the relationship between the architecture and the landscape. The design was set out by hand, placing each plant to appear as though it had always belonged within the scheme.
Visitors were drawn to the stand’s sense of whimsy and escape: a treehouse for all ages, surrounded by meadow textures, curved forms and a gentle woodland atmosphere. The Magical Hideaway showcased the strength of the collaboration between RSL and Blue Forest, and the shared belief that gardens can evoke imagination, wonder and a deep connection with nature.
Photography by Chris Taylor Photography.