A gardener and activist engaged by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to help connect with younger and marginalized individuals has stated that the organization’s prominent Chelsea Flower Show prioritizes “exclusivity over equity,” leading him to step away from his role.
Tayshan Hayden-Smith, 28, was appointed as the charity’s ambassador for youth and community outreach in 2022. However, after three years of involvement, he expresses a diminished belief that the RHS genuinely aspires to be more accessible.
In an Instagram post made this week, just ahead of the RHS’s most significant annual occasion, the Chelsea Flower Show, Hayden-Smith remarked, “I began this role with good intentions and optimism, but in hindsight, I realize I was somewhat naive.”
“My experience has taught me that representation without actual redistribution—whether of power, resources, or decision-making—is not justice. Engaging within institutions that aren’t willing to listen, adapt, or genuinely share space only has its limits.”
He specifically criticized the Chelsea Flower Show, noting, “Each year, this event sets a standard that glorifies spectacle over sustainability and celebrates exclusivity over equity.”
The Royal Horticultural Society, one of the oldest horticultural organizations in the world, was established in 1804 to promote innovative gardening ideas. It also manages one of the UK’s national community gardening initiatives, dedicating millions to various projects across the country.
Held for over a century on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the Chelsea Flower Show is a premier international horticultural event.
Hayden-Smith gained recognition as a gardener following the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in 2017, which overshadowed his home. While some community members turned to artistic or musical outlets to express their grief for the 72 lives lost, he began cultivating a nearby neglected green space, which ultimately transformed into the Grenfell Garden of Peace.
Motivated by its success, he founded a non-profit organization, Grow2Know, aimed at empowering young and disadvantaged individuals through guerrilla gardening, reclaiming unused areas in their underprivileged inner-city neighborhood.
In 2022, merely five years after he first picked up a trowel, Hayden-Smith received funding to showcase at the Chelsea Flower Show. Nonetheless, he had previously voiced concerns regarding its exclusivity.
“The five-day festival has always felt unwelcoming to someone like me,” he conveyed in a piece for the Guardian. Soon after, the RHS invited him to serve as one of its ambassadors.
Hayden-Smith disclosed to the Guardian that a significant point of contention arose concerning this year’s Chelsea Flower Show. He indicated that RHS executives declined his suggestions to make the event—typically perceived as elitist—more accessible to nearby community members.
Though Hayden-Smith resides just minutes away from the affluent area hosting the show, he experienced the stark contrast of life expectancies differing by as much as 20 years.
“There was an expectation that, given its locality and the longstanding inequality in the borough where the Chelsea Flower Show has operated for over a century, this was a rare chance to redistribute, enhance access, and boldly involve a broader community,” Hayden-Smith articulated.
“The response was that they could not justify supporting this specific community, even though it’s right next to the Chelsea Flower Show.”
A spokesperson for the RHS commented, “The RHS provided direct funding ($30,000) to support Grow2Know in a North Kensington project aimed at creating a community garden. We also organized a fundraising event for the same garden, encouraged local RHS members to get involved, and participated in a community engagement day with planting activities.”
“The RHS runs one of the largest national community gardening programs, investing millions in school gardening, community outreach, and grassroots initiatives throughout the UK.”
“We maintain a major partnership with the NHS to deliver community wellbeing gardens and collaborate with the Natural History Museum, supported by the Department for Education, to bring nature into schools across England.”
“All gardens featured at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show transition into community green spaces such as those around hospitals and schools in the UK. The globally renowned event also generates essential funds for RHS community outreach as part of its comprehensive national program.”
In recent times, the show has not only highlighted cutting-edge garden designs but has also showcased an increasing number of gardens focused on inclusivity, such as one from the ADHD Foundation that celebrated neurodiversity.
It has also ventured into showcasing container and balcony gardens, recognizing that not everyone has access to large plots of land.
In 2022, Jason Williams, known as the Cloud Gardener, presented his balcony “Cirrus Garden” with the aim of being “a beacon of hope for anyone like myself who struggles with mental health and a demonstration that anything is achievable.”
Williams has confirmed his participation in this year’s event.
However, Hayden-Smith asserts that his attempts to encourage the charity to understand the lived experiences of people like him were often met with resistance and, at times, outright hostility.
“There were numerous layers of discomfort I encountered during my three years as an ambassador at the RHS,” Hayden-Smith reflected. “No one wants to feel like a burden or an irritant while trying to contribute positively.”
He further added, “It seems there was an inclination to preserve the Chelsea Flower Show as it stands… It feels increasingly self-serving, with its status, influence, and network that aren’t easily found elsewhere.”
