With the announcement late last year that Sir David Beckham will help design the King’s Foundation garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 (19 May – 23 May 2026) we thought we’d bring you an insight into his newfound passion for gardening since buying a rural haven for his family and ponder on what his design for Chelsea might look like.
In his role as ambassador for The King’s Foundation, he will work alongside garden designer Frances Tophill on conceptualising her first-ever Chelsea garden, with broadcaster and fellow ambassador Alan Titchmarch also joining the team.
Titled the ‘Curious Garden’ the design will capture the curiosity of someone who is new to gardening and their journey from tentative gardening novice to gardening enthusiast. Given that Sir David has been very vocal about his passion for bee keeping, we can most likely expect a planting scheme with pollinators in mind. Given his preference for order and “sorting things out”, we can perhaps expect the design to feature clean lines, no rambling planting and wandering pathways. This can be seen in his own garden where the clipped yew domes are interspersed with more billowy ornamental grasses to soften the aesthetic but still very much in an orderly fashion – everything has its place.
He is also a strong advocate of the “no dig” (Hugelkultur) concept and champions this in his Oak-edged vegetable gardens. This idea has been pioneered by gardener and grower Charles Dowding since 1982 but has been gaining momentum since 2017 with gardeners wanting to reduce their carbon footprint.
The Country Life feature in October 2025 captures him looking every inch the country gentleman, a stylistic shift that perhaps mirrors a change in pace. A hands-on gardener, he proudly planted half the Euonymus japonicus hedge across his 26 acre estate near Chipping Norton.
During lockdown he and his wife Victoria spent a lot of time in plant nurseries as they were one of the safest places to visit. He admits to going “tree mad” during this time, with Oak trees having a soft spot in his heart. From one lonely Maple on the estate they have since planted hundreds more native trees including Pines, more Maples, Hornbeams, Oak (of course), Yew and Beech. He has also planted hedges to act as natural windbreaks as the property is in an exposed location.
To round off the “Beckham aesthetic”, Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) is your essential structural tool. While many people think of Lavender as a “wild” cottage garden plant, Sir David uses it to add border definition around his paved courtyards and lake area. Great for attracting pollinators, it’s always a popular “hub” in the garden for various types of bees, especially during the summer months.
Here are just some of the plants the Beckhams have used in their rural haven:
Trees
Prunus avium (Ornamental cherry trees) – His wife Victoria loves cherry blossom so he planted a cherry tree outside her study window.
Pines – Whether you have a sprawling estate or a compact urban garden, there’s a pine for you. They provide essential year-round structure and continuity through their evergreen foliage and distinct architectural forms. As well as beauty, they also offer many practical and ecological benefits. For example, their deep roots help to keep soil stable and prevent erosion, while their dense canopy acts as an excellent natural screen for privacy.
Taxus baccata – Commonly known as English yew, this iconic evergreen is known for its dense, dark green foliage and slow growing habit. This versatile plant can be used to create privacy screens and hedges or shaped into topiary.
Fagus sylvatica ‘Purpurea’ (Beech) – This is a tough tree and will thrive just about anywhere, but does not like exposed or coastal conditions. Preferring reasonably fertile and well drained soils it does not perform well on heavy clay or light sand. We do not recommend under-planting as it is a shallow rooted tree. This large and majestic tree is a superb specimen and ideally planted as a statement in parks and large estates. Great for creating contrast in the landscape, with its dark colours but due to its mature size it’s best to plant on the perimeter of a planting plan as it can overshadow other plants.
Shrubs
Lavandula angustifolia (English Lavender) – This is the most iconic and widely cultivated species of lavender in the world. It forms dense, silver-grey mounds that look like “upholstered” garden furniture even when not in bloom. A really useful plant to add density and a touch of class to your garden.
Root-ball Hedging – This type of hedging is field grown. They have been left to develop for several years and therefore have established height, foliage and root systems. Usually evergreen or large plants, the roots are covered in soil and wrapped in hessian. Cost effective, especially when big quantities are required, only available to order and plant between October and March (weather dependent). They provide instant impact and solutions to your garden.
Euonymus japonicus – A versatile, evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves edged with vibrant creamy-yellow margins, creating a bright, eye-catching contrast. Inconspicuous greenish flowers appear in spring. This low-maintenance shrub is perfect for borders, hedges offering all year-round colour.
Bring a touch of Beckham luxury to your garden
If you would like to create a garden inspired by the Beckhams then our “at home” consultancy service is the best place to start. For just £75*, our experienced garden design consultant will provide tailored guidance to bring your vision to life. You can find more information and boking form here Advice & consultancy – The Big Plant Nursery
Within 14 days, you’ll receive a comprehensive planting plan tailored to your garden, along with a 10% discount on all plants. Our recommendations will consider your preferences for privacy screening, fast-growing specimens, colour, fragrance and evergreen interest, ensuring a garden you’ll love for years to come.
*£75 fee applies if you live within a 15-mile radius of our office. Additional fees apply outside this area. All costs include VAT.
Feeling inspired?
If you would like to start the first step of your journey with us then get in touch to book our consultancy service.
For just £75*, our experienced horticulturalists will provide tailored guidance to bring your vision to life. Whether you’re interested in fast-growing solutions for quick impact, seeking the enduring beauty of evergreen plants or looking to add colour and fragrance, we can offer expert advice.
**£75 fee applies if you live within a 15-mile radius of our office. Additional fees apply outside this area. All costs include VAT.