RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022 News

10.2.2022

10.2.2022


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So happy and honored to announce that I was given the privilege to design Connected, by EXANTE -garden for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2022.

Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

WHAT AN HONOUR TO BE IN BUNNY GUINNESS COLUMN IN THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH ♥️⭐️♥️

16.10.2021

16.10.2021


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Bunny Guinness is a renowned British landscape architect and garden designer, who is also very well known for her presentations on TV & radio and numerous articles in newspapers & magazines.

She also writes a column for the British institution, The Sunday Telegraph, with its 1.3 million readers every Sunday. It was a great honour to have Bunny pop in the Finnish Soul Garden in Chelsea Flower Show 2021.

Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

UPM

16.9

.2021

16.9.2021


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

Taina Suonio, an environmental biologist and landscape designer, returns to the Chelsea Flower Show with a new Finnish-themed garden. This time she wanted to bring Finnish nature and cultural heritage to the fore. “The garden especially represents Finland’s biodiversity,” says Suonio. The garden celebrates last year’s UN Plant Health Year and the 40-year history of the protection of the Baltic Sea. UPM Plywood is a sponsor of The Finnish Soul Garden.


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

BREAKING NEWS ‼️‼️‼️

6.8.2021

6.8.2021


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

JAPANESE AND FINNISH COLLABORATION AT ROOF GARDEN PROJECT IN SAPPORO, JAPAN

Designing a garden for the world famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 led into Japanese-Finnish teamwork!

Landscape designers Miki Sato and Kazuto Kashiwakura from Japan and landscape designer and environmental biologist Taina Suonio from Finland were neighbours at the world-renowned flower show, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 in London.

They established an immediate connection between their designs and creative spirit. Building a Chelsea Flower Show garden is always a big challenge. Sharing the experience and supporting one another with a welcoming smile can make all the difference and lead to great things.

The friendship deepened further when Miki and Kaz came to visit Finland. Taina is a well-known vegetated roof expert in Finland and abroad and was only too happy to show Miki and Kaz some of her completed projects in this field and share her knowledge.

Together with Takano Landscape Planning Co., Ltd Miki, Kazuto and Taina will now, in collaboration, embark upon designing a major roof garden project in Sapporo, Japan.

🇯🇵 ❤️ 🇫🇮

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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

RHS Virtual Chelsea 2021!

19.5.2021

19.5.2021


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

It is a pleasure, privilege and honour to participate in RHS Virtual
Chelsea 2021!

In the interview I outline the main ideas and themes as well as the
inspiration behind the Finnish Soul Garden – the Garden illustrates the
meaning of sauna culture and the beautiful nature of Finland to us
Finns. The interview is 4.16 mins long.

This Year the RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be held September 21-26. This
is the first time in the show’s 108-year-long history that it takes
places in the autumn and not in the spring.


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

Vegetated roofs at the Grow21 webinar – Roof gardens and urbanscapes /

16.2.2021

16.2.2021


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

If you missed my talk last week on my passion, vegetated roofs, at Kekkilä-BVB Grow21 international webinar, now you have a chance to see a recording of it.

In my talk I covered the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I talked about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

Article in Helsingin Sanomat: Urban planning We want to build apartment buildings in Vuosaari, Helsinki, whose roof terraces would be the only ones of their kind in Helsinki

16.2.2021

16.2.2021


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Picture: Jukka Gröndahl

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

Projects like Kurkimoisio in Helsinki, Finland take years of work: thinking, research and planning!

I’m really very pleased to be taking this project forward as an environmental biologist, member of the University of Helsinki research team as well as landscape designer, together with an amazing team 💪

This site is a development project in the full sense of the word: the plot had already been zoned for ’traditional’ apartment building construction, which would have been larger in area, completely devoid of the current vegetation and with substantial damage to the surrounding landscape.
I feel that this project is a huge improvement from that point of view.

The project adds value with its use of native vegetation, which increases biodiversity in the area. Existing vegetation has been mapped by University researchers and it wasn’t particularly rich. Nevertheless, recycled natural materials and plants will be used on the site in accordance with sustainable development. For example, plants on the site are collected before construction, put in a temporary planting area and then brought back to be replanted.

Vegetated roof gardens and other greenery will also increase the comfort of living. It is also remarkable that Kurkimoisio project comprises high-quality research on vegetated roofs, biodiversity and a number of other research aspects yet to be determined.


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Havainnekuva Kurkimoisioon suunniteltujen talojen kattoterassista. Kuva: ARKWORKS

I’m very honoured to have been asked to give a talk at Kekkilä Grow21 international seminar on 9th February

27.1.2021

27.1.2021


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LUKE MACGREGOR

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

In my talk I will cover the multiple benefits, including supporting biodiversity, that vegetated roofs provide and why they should play a permanent and prominent part in city planning and greening cities. Linking with my research I will talk about the policy instruments (e.g. norms, regulations) which will help city planners and landscape designers make sure that vegetated roofs will be given the role they deserve in the greener cities of the future.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 has been postponed until September

27.1.2021

27.1.2021


Taina, Anne ja Kriztian _ Chelsea (2)

LUKE MACGREGOR

The RHS has postponed Chelsea Flower Show 2021 from May to 21-26
September – I’m fully behind the RHS decision as I think it is the
responsible thing to do in the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

This is the first time evert that Chelsea Flower Show is held in the
autumn in its 108 history.

RHS has held meetings with designers and their contractors during the
last two weeks about the situation and what would be the best option for
the gardens. My personal wish was that the show could go ahead even if
it had to be a bit later in the year.

Looking forward to bringing to life in the heart of London the story of
Finnish nature and way of life, and to continue highlighting the
International Year of Plant Health (IYPH)💚🍃

I want to thank my sponsors and
the Finnish Soul Garden team:
Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry Finland (MMM)
Embassy of Finland London
OmaSauna
City of Vantaa
Loimaan Kivi
UPM Plywood
Kekkilä
Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce
Taimisto Huutokoski
RATIA DESIGN
Tapio Anttila Collection
Nagual koru
and artist Pirjo Väisänen, Anneli Salo, Alex Gough & Johanna Oras

Construction by Conquest Spaces

The RHS has postponed Chelsea Flower Show 2021 from May to 21-26
September – I’m fully behind the RHS decision as I think it is the
responsible thing to do in the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

This is the first time evert that Chelsea Flower Show is held in the
autumn in its 108 history.

RHS has held meetings with designers and their contractors during the
last two weeks about the situation and what would be the best option for
the gardens. My personal wish was that the show could go ahead even if
it had to be a bit later in the year.

Looking forward to bringing to life in the heart of London the story of
Finnish nature and way of life, and to continue highlighting the
International Year of Plant Health (IYPH)💚🍃

I want to thank my sponsors and
the Finnish Soul Garden team:
Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry Finland (MMM)
Embassy of Finland London
OmaSauna
City of Vantaa
Loimaan Kivi
UPM Plywood
Kekkilä
Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce
Taimisto Huutokoski
RATIA DESIGN
Tapio Anttila Collection
Nagual koru
and artist Pirjo Väisänen, Anneli Salo, Alex Gough & Johanna Oras

Construction by Conquest Spaces

NOW IT’S PUBLIC ✨💛✨

30.10.2020

30.10.2020


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LUKE MACGREGOR

I’m so happy to be included in the RHS Press statement today! This is
naturally a very public confirmation that The Finnish Soul Garden will
be part of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021!

Looking forward to bringing to life in the heart of London the story of
Finnish nature and way of life, and to continue highlighting the year of
international plant health.

I want to thank my sponsors and Finnish Soul Garden team:
Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry Finland (MMM)
Embassy of Finland London
OmaSauna
City of Vantaa
Loimaan Kivi
UPM Plywood
Kekkilä
Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce
Taimisto Huutokoski
RATIA DESIGN
Tapio Anttila
Nagual Koru
and artist Pirjo Väisänen, Anneli Salo, Alex Gough and Johanna Oras.

Construction by Conquest Creative Spaces.

I’m so happy to be included in the RHS Press statement today! This is
naturally a very public confirmation that The Finnish Soul Garden will
be part of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021!

Looking forward to bringing to life in the heart of London the story of
Finnish nature and way of life, and to continue highlighting the year of
international plant health.

I want to thank my sponsors and Finnish Soul Garden team:
Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry Finland (MMM)
Embassy of Finland London
OmaSauna
City of Vantaa
Loimaan Kivi
UPM Plywood
Kekkilä
Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce
Taimisto Huutokoski
RATIA DESIGN
Tapio Anttila
Nagual Koru
and artist Pirjo Väisänen, Anneli Salo, Alex Gough and Johanna Oras.

Construction by Conquest Creative Spaces.

Pantechnicon Roof Garden in London

4.10.2020

4.10.2020


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LUKE MACGREGOR

What a great honour and a cultural journey it has been to design truly amazing Pantechnicon Roof Garden and Rooftop Bar area, to bring a touch of Finland in Belgravia, London.
It is an amazing spirited celebration of Nordic and Japanese food, drinks and design. The Pantechnicon is an unmissable opportunity and nexperience to enjoy Cosmopolitan London at its best!
I’m very honoured to be the first ever Finnish landscape designer
mentioned in a Financial Times newspaper article.

What a great honour and a cultural journey it has been to design truly amazing Pantechnicon Roof Garden and Rooftop Bar area, to bring a touch of Finland in Belgravia, London.
It is an amazing spirited celebration of Nordic and Japanese food, drinks and design. The Pantechnicon is an unmissable opportunity and experience to enjoy Cosmopolitan London at its best!
I’m very honoured to be the first ever Finnish landscape designer
mentioned in a Financial Times newspaper article.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020 has been cancelled

22.3.2020

22.3.2020


MEDIA _ Finnish Soul Garden _ CFS2020 _ TainaSuonio_ 26.11.2019

LUKE MACGREGOR

Dear all!

I have just been informed that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020 has been cancelled.

This is the first time the Chelsea Flower Show has been cancelled in its 108-year history apart from the years of the World War II.

I hope that everyone will understand that this action wasn’t taken lightly. It was taken to ensure the health and safety of all of us (visitors, designers, Members of staff, sponsors etc.).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors and my team and all of you who have supported me!

It was a great journey thus far, for good reasons, with great, enthusiastic, talented & hardworking people.

Hopefully the Finnish Soul Garden will be a part of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021!

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Flowery hugs from Finland 🤗❤🇫🇮
Taina

Finnish Soul Garden team:
Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry Finland (MMM)
Ulla Kiljala
OmaSauna
City of Vantaan
Kekkilä-BVB
Loimaan Kivi
UPM Plywood
Embassy of Finland London
FBCC UK
Taimisto Huutokoski
RATIA
Tapio Anttila
Nagual koru
and artists Pirjo Väisänen, Anneli Salo, Alex Gough and Johanna Oras

Dear all!

I have just been informed that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020 has been cancelled.

This is the first time the Chelsea Flower Show has been cancelled in its 108-year history apart from the years of the World War II.

I hope that everyone will understand that this action wasn’t taken lightly. It was taken to ensure the health and safety of all of us (visitors, designers, Members of staff, sponsors etc.).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank my sponsors and my team and all of you who have supported me!

It was a great journey thus far, for good reasons, with great, enthusiastic, talented & hardworking people.

Hopefully the Finnish Soul Garden will be a part of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021!

Take care of yourselves and your loved ones.

Flowery hugs from Finland 🤗❤🇫🇮
Taina

Finnish Soul Garden team:
Ministery of Agriculture and Forestry Finland (MMM)
Ulla Kiljala
OmaSauna
City of Vantaan
Kekkilä-BVB
Loimaan Kivi
UPM Plywood
Embassy of Finland London
FBCC UK
Taimisto Huutokoski
RATIA
Tapio Anttila
Nagual koru
and artists Pirjo Väisänen, Anneli Salo, Alex Gough and Johanna Oras

Plant health celebrated at Chelsea Flower Show, Soul Garden represents Finland

6.2.2020

6.2.2020

 


MEDIA _ Finnish Soul Garden _ CFS2020 _ TainaSuonio_ 26.11.2019

LUKE MACGREGOR

The world-renowned Chelsea Flower Show with a long history will again be held in London on 19–23 May 2020. Finnish nature will bloom in the spirit of plant health at Finnish Soul Garden designed by environmental biologist, landscape designer Taina Suonio.

THE FINNISH SOUL GARDEN AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2020

30.11.2019

30.11.2019


MEDIA _ Finnish Soul Garden _ CFS2020 _ TainaSuonio_ 26.11.2019

LUKE MACGREGOR

The setting is comprised of a sauna with a cool-off area and a seaside garden as a recreational
facility for the inhabitants of the city, provided by the City of Helsinki Culture and Leisure Division.
The garden is situated in the proximity of the city’s main public beach on a secluded peninsula.

FBCC SUPPORTING THE FINNISH SOUL GARDEN AT THE RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2020

30.11.2019

30.11.2019


MEDIA _ Finnish Soul Garden _ CFS2020 _ TainaSuonio_ 26.11.2019

LUKE MACGREGOR

I’m absolutely delighted to have FBCC as my sponsor at Chelsea Flower Show 2020. Finnish Soul Garden reflects traditional lifestyle in Finland with an urban touch.

Looking forward to opening this window into Finnish souls to the Brithis and international visitors ❤️

Finnish Soul Garden

30.11.2019

30.11.2019


MEDIA _ Finnish Soul Garden _ CFS2020 _ TainaSuonio_ 26.11.2019

LUKE MACGREGOR

The Finnish Soul Garden celebrates the International Year of Plant Health 2020 (IYPH) which was initiated by Finland. It also highlights the 40th anniversary of the Helsinki Convention, which seeks to protect the Baltic Sea and its marine life.

WISA Plywood gives an urban horizon to a Finnish meadow in Chelsea

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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LUKE MACGREGOR

RHS Chelsea Flower Show

  • The most prominent gardening event in the world.
  • Takes place on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, UK.
  • Organised by The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
  • Has been organised in the same place since 1912.
  • In 2019, the event will be held from 21st to 25th of May.
  • 157 000 tickets are sold annually.

SMALL GARDEN DESIGN IDEAS FROM RHS CHELSEA 2019

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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LUKE MACGREGOR

Extending your garden up or down is a great way of making more space in small gardens and takes the idea of a green roof one step further.

The Ikea and Tom Dixon garden entitled Gardening Will Save The World combines a mix of traditional planting methods and futuristic horticulture. The leisure and relaxation element of the garden is elevated, while the area below does the hard work of growing salads, mushrooms and herbs under specialist grow lighting.

Chelsea Flower Show 2019: 5 Trends to Try at Home

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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LUKE MACGREGOR

If you missed the Chelsea Flower Show last week, the gardens showcased everything from wildlife havens, wildflower fields to woodland wonderlands. To help you discover the top gardening trends from the 2019 gardens, we’ve compiled a guide to the best themes that you can get inspired by and recreate in your very own garden.

Discover Chelsea Flower Show’s most beautiful gardens

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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LUKE MACGREGOR

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show returns for another year, running from 21 to 25 May 2019 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Browse our guide to the best of the festival, from the show gardens to the artisan gems and the famous flower-filled Great Pavilion…

Three gin-inspired gardens to look for at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019 Written by Catherine Hanly

24.9.2019

Five Smaller Show Gardens at RHS Chelsea 2019

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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The smaller show gardens at RHS Chelsea Flower Show offer the visitors ideas and designs that could fit their own garden space. Many convey a powerful message or promote the work of charities and other organisations. With six artisan gardens and nine space to grow gardens its hard to pick just five but you can see the others on the television coverage and of course online on the RHS website.

My sneak preview of the Chelsea Flower Show

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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It’s time for me to dust down the suit and polish the cufflinks because it’s the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show next week. In gardening terms Chelsea has it all: top design and stunning plantsmanship. Many seasoned garden designers, with 57 gold medals between them, will be there.

THE ROOTS IN FINLAND KYRÖ GARDEN WINS SILVER-GILT MEDAL AT RHS CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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The Roots in Finland Kyrö Garden by Taina Suonio won the silver-gilt medal at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019. Taina Suonio is an accomplished Finnish landscape designer, horticulturist, environmental biologist, and researcher. The garden was made in partnership with several Finnish companies and supported by the Finnish-British Chamber of Commerce. The main sponsor of the garden is FBCC Member Kyrö Distillery Company.

Three of the best small spaces at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019

24.9.2019

24.9.2019


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Taina Suonio’s garden seeks to bring the rich biodiversity of the Finnish countryside to the city. Underlying her design is the research she does at the University of Helsinki: environmental biologist Suonio is an expert in urban greening, lauded for her green roofs.