Unveil the creator of the RHS Chelsea Garden of the Year, an individual who spent his childhood in the near proximity of a nuclear bomb, subsequently dedicating his life to the art of gardening.
Exuberant Japanese Designer Kazuyuki Ishihara Wins Big at 2025 Chelsea Flower Show
The broad smile, sharp suits, and the designer glasses of the one and only Kazuyuki Ishihara could be seen darting around at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show as he claimed the coveted Gold medal and Best in Show. Known for his jubilant expressions, this win sent the crowd into a frenzy, making it a night to remember for the Japanese designer.
Here's a sneak peek of what you can discover:
- Insider Tips for Attending Chelsea Flower Show
- Mastering a Chelsea-worthy Garden Design
- Chelsea Flower Show Newsletter Sign-up
- Is Chelsea Flower Show Facing a Waste Problem?
- 2025 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Winners Revealed
Talented to the Core
Making his debut at Chelsea two decades ago, Ishihara entered the competition with "Gen," a show garden that earned him the prestigious Silver Gilt medal. Since then, he's returned to the competition an impressive fourteen times, scoring twelve Gold medals and an astounding four Best in Show awards. Even the ever-impeccable Queen Elizabeth II, who has crossed paths with Ishihara on multiple occasions, referred to him as "the green magician."
Immaculate in their precision and detail, Ishihara's gardens are a celebration of pure Japanese style, boasting quintessential elements like acers, irises, tranquil water, artfully positioned stone, and an abundance of moss. It wasn't long ago that the moss-bound designs sparked some confusion among judges, but Ishihara's persistence has paid off – even the harshest critics now sing the praises of his greener creations.
Chelsea's Allure
For Kazuyuki Ishihara, Chelsea is more than just a competition – it's a cherished annual event. Despite the anxiety that comes with every appearance, he considers the coveted Gold medal to be the ultimate prize. Participating in the judgment process is invaluable to Ishihara, as feedback helps him to identify areas for improvement in future designs.
Crafting intricate designs for a foreign audience comes with its fair share of challenges. Assembly requires the support of Ishihara's trusted team, as well as sourcing plants within the host country due to transport limitations. Financial support is crucial, but for Kazuyuki Ishihara, the dream of presenting his work at Chelsea is impossible to resist.
A Greener Legacy
Plants and nature have been a part of Kazuyuki's life since childhood. Born in Nagasaki in 1958, in a city scarred by the atomic bomb, he grew up with an appreciation for the healing power of greenery. His father, a passionate gardener, played an essential role in instilling a love of flowers in Kazuyuki, and the influence of the natural world took firm root in him.
At age 22, Kazuyuki studied at Ikenobo, the prestigious school of Ikebana flower arranging, and eventually founded a small flower business using locally-grown cut flowers. Facing ups and downs, including devastating floods that claimed his delivery bike and car, he persisted and was able to open his own flower shop before transitioning to garden design.
Building Together
With a loyal team by his side, Kazuyuki has spent countless hours working on gardens, inspired by a shared passion. As three of his children have taken up landscaping, the Ishihara legacy continues to flourish.
Reflecting on his life's journey, Kazuyuki speaks about the impact of his Nagasaki birthplace, and his desire to bring peace to the world through gardens. In his hometown, he's worked to create Mihara, a garden that embodies his philosophy and attracts visitors seeking a taste of authentic Japanese design.
Global Ambassador of Green Spaces
Found himself positioned as a green advocate, Kazuyuki has achieved international recognition for his exceptional work at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. His designs showcase the transcendent qualities of Japanese gardens, speaking to audiences far beyond the reaches of Japan.
Witnessed by millions daily, Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo hosts a tiny piece of Kazuyuki's soul – a public garden adorned with bonsai trees in the traditional tsubo-niwa style. Even those who aren't avid garden enthusiasts have been moved by his designs, proving that the power of greenery transcends boundaries and connects us all in ways both big and small.
- The Japanese designer Kazuyuki Ishihara, dubbed "the green magician" by Queen Elizabeth II, showcases the quintessential elements of Japanese style in his gardens through an abundance of flowers like acers and irises, tranquil water, artfully positioned stone, and moss.
- Ishihara's team works tirelessly to assemble intricate designs for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, sourcing plants within the host country due to transport limitations and relying on financial support to make his dream of presenting his work at Chelsea a reality.
- Over the years, Kazuyuki Ishihara has earned multiple Gold medals and Best in Show awards at the Chelsea Flower Show, demonstrating his mastery of garden design and landscaping.
- Having grown up with an appreciation for nature's healing power, Ishihara's passion for flowers was nurtured by his father, a gardener, and later honed at the prestigious school of Ikebana flower arranging.
- Aside from his successes at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Ishihara's influence extends beyond Japan, with his designs resonating with international audiences and being featured as public gardens, like the bonsai-filled tsubo-niwa style at Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.
