HTA supports Irish Embassy reception celebrating horticulture during Chelsea week
Thursday 21 May 2026
On the evening of 20 May, the Embassy of Ireland in London hosted a special reception and panel discussion celebrating Anglo-Irish horticultural relations and Irish participation in the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The event highlighted the growing role of environmental horticulture in creating greener, healthier places to live.
Held during Chelsea Flower Show week, the reception brought together leading figures from horticulture, business, design and government to discuss the evolving role of green spaces in supporting climate resilience, wellbeing and future urban development.
Guests were welcomed into an Embassy transformed with striking floral and plant displays provided by members of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA) - HSK Exotic Gardens and Provender Nurseries, alongside floral arrangements and Irish-themed displays from the British Florist Association (BFA).
The evening featured a panel discussion exploring the future of horticulture, greener cities and the increasing importance of access to nature and green spaces across society. The discussion reflected growing recognition of the role environmental horticulture can play in supporting healthier communities, biodiversity and more resilient urban environments. Moderated by Liz Shanahan, a life sciences entrepreneur and passionate gardener, the panel featured Mike McMahon an award-winning architect and landscape designer known for his sustainable, high-end, and innovative garden designs, Carol Marks an experienced Sector Manager for Horticulture at Bord Bia and a judge for the Royal Horticultural Society since 2015 and Róisín Wilson who is Managing Director at HSK Gardening and Leisure, which is a specialist importer of 'Jurassic' plants from the Antipodes. Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the HTA closed the event with a few words.
Orla McBreen, Deputy Ambassador, said:
“It is always a pleasure for the Embassy to host this event, which has become a real highlight of our annual calendar. We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude – mile buíochas - especially to Richard McKenna, Roísín Wilson and Liz Shanahan, without whom this event would be a shadow of what it has developed into.
“This year, it is even more apt to mark the deep connections between Ireland and the Chelsea Flower Show. Earlier this week, we had the great pleasure of bringing Ireland’s President, An Uachtaráin Catherine Connolly, to the Chelsea Flower Show. For their gracious help in making that event happen, many thanks to the Royal Horticultural Society, the Metropolitan Police, the Horticultural Trades Association, Richard McKenna, Billy Alexander, Liz and all of the designers, growers and other exhibitors who made President Connolly’s visit so memorable.”
Jennifer Pheasey, Director of Policy and Public Affairs at the HTA, commented:
“The HTA is once again proud to support this important event celebrating the close relationships between Irish and UK horticulture and the businesses that help bring Chelsea to life each year.
“This year’s discussion around green spaces and the future evolution of horticulture is especially timely and events like this help strengthen understanding of the enormous social, environmental and economic contribution our sector makes.”
Liz Shanahan welcomed the event:
“The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the pinnacle of horticulture, and in recent years Irish providers and designers have really made their mark. I am so lucky each year to get the opportunity to meet and interview some of the most incredible contributors to the magic that makes Chelsea. It’s great to recognise both the creative and economic contribution this sector makes and a real honour for them that the Ambassador and his wife also recognise that contribution.”
Róisín Wilson, Managing Director of HSK Exotic Gardens, said:
“It was a real privilege for HSK Exotic Gardens to once again support the Embassy event during Chelsea week and contribute to the discussion around the future of horticulture and green spaces.
“As an industry, we have a real opportunity to help shape greener and more welcoming environments for people to live and work in. The conversations taking place across Chelsea this week show how important plants, gardens and nature continue to be to communities and wellbeing.”
Richard McKenna, Managing Director of Provender Nurseries, added:
“Chelsea Flower Show is always an important moment to showcase the expertise, collaboration and passion that exists across horticulture.
“It was fantastic to support the Embassy reception and to be part of conversations focused not only on beautiful planting and design, but also on how horticulture can continue evolving to meet the environmental and societal challenges ahead.”
The event was attended by guests from across horticulture, business, media and public affairs, highlighting the strong connections between Irish and British horticulture and the growing recognition of environmental horticulture as a sector that delivers economic, environmental and social value.
