Created for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, floral artists Frida Kim and Wagner Kreusch use plants to create restorative exhibit
Photography courtesy of Ffern showing Frida Kim and Wagner Kreusch’s work in the studio
Words by Jessica-Christin Hametner
We’ve long understood how nature has a way of healing us, but a new installation at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 brings that idea into focus. For this year’s show, UK charity Horatio’s Garden and Somerset-based organic perfume maker Ffern present An Exhibition of Hope, a beautiful showcase on the therapeutic qualities of flowers and their remarkable ability to reset both mind and mood.
Conceived by Korean artist and designer Frida Kim and Brazilian floral artist and educator Wagner Kreusch, the exhibit considers the link between floristry, fragrance and wellbeing. Kim’s practice explores nature, culture and impermanence, while Kreusch trained at the Sogetsu School of Ikebana under Mr Shigeo Suga, making the duo a perfect fit for An Exhibition of Hope.
‘We all know how when you come into a garden, smell is so important,’ says Dr Olivia Chapple OBE EMH, Founder of Horatio’s Garden, on the concept. ‘Freshly mown grass, roses, irises and sweet peas all have a different scent that triggers intense, deep-seated emotions. Science shows how much that then impacts mood. Patients with spinal injuries tell us how critical scent is to how they experience our gardens, which is why we are so delighted to partner with Ffern.’
Photography courtesy of Ffern featuring Frida Kim and Wagner Kreusch
With a series of accessible sanctuaries set within NHS spinal injury centres across the country, Horatio’s Garden – founded in 2011 by Dr Chapple in memory of her son, Horatio – creates restorative green spaces for healing, therapy and family connection during long-term rehabilitation, supporting the recovery of spinal injury patients.
This ethos of care also runs through the installation, which is composed of more than 200 British-grown irises supplied by specialist nursery Iris of Sissinghurst and studio Falls & Standards by Vervain. Unfolding in a soft palette of shell pinks, apricots, velvety indigos, onyx and amber tones, the display’s soothing colours exude a feeling of joy.
Drawing on both ancient Greek mythology and Victorian floriography, in which each flower carried hidden meanings and emotions or powerful metaphors, the iris is used throughout An Exhibition of Hope as a symbol of optimism, in keeping with its title. Each bloom also thoughtfully represents 20 patients supported annually by Horatio’s Garden.
Photography by Emily Krous featuring An Exhibition of Hope
Under Kim and Kreusch’s watchful eye, fragrance sits at the heart of the installation. Visitors are invited to linger among the irises, taking in both their colour and scent. This is inspired in part by Ffern’s latest fragrance, Summer 26 Eau de Parfum, a citrus floral layered with dewy clementine, sun-warmed rose, hazy bran and sweet pea vine.
To celebrate the new collaboration, visitors will receive a complimentary sample of Summer 26 Eau de Parfum, alongside a bespoke iris diffusion stone. In addition, those who pledge regular charitable donations to Horatio’s Garden will also be offered an exclusive pocket-sized edition.
The partnership feels particularly aligned, given the shared focus both organisations place on wellbeing. Horatio’s Garden creates and maintains gardens within NHS spinal injury rehabilitation centres, offering spaces designed for reflection and companionship.
Photography courtesy of Ffern featuring Frida Kim
For Ffern, whose fragrances are lovingly made from natural ingredients by perfumer Elodie Durande, together with founder Owen Mears and creative director Emily Cameron, each seasonal scent is conceived and developed in-house and released in limited editions. The project for RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 builds on the brand’s long-standing exploration of scent.
Meanwhile, Frida Kim and Wagner Kreusch bring distinct artistic approaches to floristry and installation-making, working with ephemeral materials to consider themes of healing and environmental awareness. While An Exhibition of Hope is in place for the duration of RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026, its impact is set to continue long after the show closes.
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Photography courtesy of Ffern featuring Frida Kim and Wagner Kreusch’s work in the studio
Photography courtesy of Ffern featuring Frida Kim
Photography courtesy of Ffern featuring Frida Kim and Wagner Kreusch
Photography by Emily Krous featuring An Exhibition of Hope
