If you’ve ever had the pleasure of visiting the dreamy Petersham Nurseries and dining in its delectable Michelin-starred restaurant, you’ll know what a magical experience it is. So, imagine our squeals of delight when the talented team behind this iconic destination applied to design a Houseplant Studio for the 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The Conservatory
The Conservatory Houseplant Studio marked Petersham Nurseries’ first appearance at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, bringing the spirit of the beautiful Conservatory at Petersham House to the show. An Astwood Pavilion Summerhouse, painted in a deep black-green, provided the setting, echoing the distinctive character that draws visitors from around the world to Petersham’s tranquil corner of Richmond.
“We wanted to create somewhere you can relax, somewhere where plants are very much at the centre of your everyday life. Within that space, we hoped to create a calming and beautiful environment.”
BYRON THOMAS, HEAD OF HORTICULTURE AT PETERSHAM NURSERIES
They achieved this through an abundance of climbing plants, bringing captivating colour and fragrance to the space. Species including Trachelospermum jasminoides and Stephanotis floribunda climbed the interior walls, creating a feeling of being cocooned in nature and offering visitors a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the show. Lush foliage spilled through the slightly ajar side windows, bringing a wild, dramatic quality to the Silver Medal-winning Houseplant Studio.
Visitors were beckoned inside along a path lined with oversized terracotta pots, brimming with foxgloves, tree ferns and wispy, cottage-style planting. Adding to the sense of tranquillity was a timeworn stone water bowl, its dark, reflective surface dotted with rich crimson peonies.
“We’ve incorporated as much mature, dramatic foliage as we could find to contrast with the intentionally low-lit interior and be silhouetted against the windows. It takes a moment to see what’s going on inside but that investigation is rewarded.”
Edward parkinson, petersham’s head gardener and co-designer of the conservatory
Those seeking style inspiration weren’t disappointed either. One-off decorative objects, vintage furniture and a weathered screen added further intrigue, echoing the eclectic, collected feel of the iconic Petersham.
Digging into the History of Petersham House and Nurseries
In the late 1990s a fortuitous tip off from a family friend, propelled an intrepid Gael Boglione and her husband Francesco, to go to view a property in southwest London.
On the hunt for a new family home, big enough for her four adventurous children to flourish, they were not expecting to fall in love with a neglected Queen Anne house.
Finding the residence in a sorry state with a patchwork of extensions added, the Bogliones instantly recognised the potential of this gem and relocated their young family from central London to Richmond.
With the expert assistance of English Heritage coupled with their vision and perseverance, the Bogliones lovingly restored the house. Cornicing and historical paint techniques slowly replaced the previous owner’s chintz and frills.
The Rebirth
Francesco admits to not feeling a rush of inspiration immediately.
The family spent some months with an unfurnished home, mulling over their blank canvas.
Before his career in banking, he had been in the business of buying and selling unusual paintings and furniture. His eye for detail became an invaluable contribution to the quirky elegance that Petersham House is renowned for today.
The Nursery
At the bottom of the garden, was a towering old wall that Gael would occasionally climb to peek at the adjoining plant nursery.
Originally part of the estate, it was run down and had no clear purpose.
Not content with just the major project of the house, Francesco later acquired the nursery, snatching it from the jaws of redevelopers.
What began as an accidental project grew organically into a business focused on aesthetics, sustainability, and lifestyle.
The Vision
As the garden bloomed (literally), Gael was fulfilled and happy. When she read about how garden centres were evolving significantly, her entrepreneurial spirit began to dream. Traditionally focused on plants and tools, they were beginning to operate as lifestyle venues.
Patiently and lovingly, the family developed the space into a cherished lifestyle destination, guided by their Italian roots, deep appreciation for food, and the distinctive charm of their personal anthologies within the home.
The Chef
The late Skye Gyngell, an Australian-trained chef, was invited by the Boglione family to run the café when it opened in 2004. Already experienced in private catering and professional kitchens, she accepted the role after visiting and falling in love with the setting. Initially planning to stay briefly, she remained for eight years and developed a distinctive style of seasonal, ingredient-led cooking. Under her leadership, the café gained a Michelin star in 2011.
The Future
The food is centred around seasonal, locally sourced produce, often grown on-site or nearby. The philosophy is simple: let ingredients speak for themselves.
Petersham Nurseries is being shaped by the next generation of the Boglione family, particularly Lara Boglione, who became managing director in 2011. Expansion has included restaurants, wine businesses, and new dining concepts.
Petersham Nurseries, Off Church Lane, Petersham Road, Richmond TW10 7AB, petershamnurseries.com
