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Chelsea Flower Show kangaroo paw plants are moving to Kensington Gardens

Fahad Redha

June 1, 2026
2 min read

Chelsea Flower Show kangaroo paw plants are moving to Kensington Gardens

Australian kangaroo paw plants from the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show are being replanted in Kensington Gardens as part of a research project exploring how heat-resilient species respond to London’s changing microclimate.

The kangaroo paw plants come from Journey Beyond the Tracks: From Adelaide to Perth, the Australian garden designed by Max Parker-Smith for this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. Following the end of the event, they are being moved to a permanent new home within Kensington Gardens.

The planting’s move into Kensington Gardens continues the wider legacy of Chelsea Flower Show projects shaping conversations beyond the showground. It also reflects a broader shift towards climate-conscious planting already being explored through new urban gardening initiatives across the UK.

The planting will take place in the landscape running from Buck Hill Lodge through to Queen Anne’s Alcove, where The Royal Parks’ horticultural apprentices will replant species including kangaroo paw, bottlebrush and paperbark.

The project is a joint collaboration between Max Parker-Smith and The Royal Parks, led by Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy, and will examine how plants native to South Australia and Western Australia adapt to conditions in London.

The work also gives Royal Parks apprentices practical experience in the kind of horticultural research increasingly shaping how public green spaces are managed.

Kangaroo paws are expected to bring a vivid splash of colour to the gardens. The species has evolved to withstand heat, water scarcity and sharp temperature shifts, making it a natural focus for research into climate resilience.

Kensington Gardens is free to visit, and visitors will be able to watch the planting establish over the coming months as the research project develops.

Seen the new planting taking shape in Kensington Gardens? Let us know what stands out during your next visit. More London environment and public space reporting from EyeOnLondon.

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About Author

Fahad Redha

Fahad is the Content Editor at EyeOnLondon, overseeing the publication’s editorial output across news, culture, and lifestyle. With a background in journalism from the University of the Creative Arts, he brings a broad range of experience from local London reporting in Kensington & Chelsea, where he held roles including motoring, events, and health editor. At EyeOnLondon, Fahad plays a central role in shaping content and maintaining editorial standards. His work spans everything from daily news to feature coverage, with a particular strength in motoring and events. He also incorporates photography into his reporting, adding a visual layer to many of his stories. Fahad joined EyeOnLondon in February 2021.