As the gates to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 swing open, Protek returns to the world’s most prestigious horticultural stage for the second year running to support the ‘Tales From The Riverbank’ balcony garden. A stunning space and celebration where traditional craftsmanship from a bygone era seamlessly meets modern, sustainable design - the perfect home for our range of expert exterior woodcare.
Following the success of RHS Chelsea 2025, where our uplifting colourful collaboration with the charity Bees for Development clinched the coveted ‘People’s Choice Award’ and a ‘Silver Gilt Medal’, we once again illustrate that high-performance wood protection, creativity and caring for the planet go hand in hand.
RHS Chelsea 2025 Bees for Development
This year’s garden, designed by the talented duo of Susie Kennedy and Kate Henning (sponsored by Kennedy’s Independent Property Agents), transports us to a simpler way of life. A whimsical but intelligently functional garden set on the deck of a houseboat, ‘Tales From The Riverbank’ is the essence of "small space" philosophy brought to life with uplifting colour and conscious protection from Protek. Highlights include a roof-top kitchen garden, herbs grown as edimentals, a dipping tank harvesting rainwater and home to aquatics and a handcrafted outdoor kitchen. Soft natural planting compliments the riverbank environment giving it a sense of place.
A Palette for Every Story: From 2025’s Bees to 2026’s Riverbank
One of the most exciting aspects of our RHS Chelsea journey, in addition to our expert credentials and considered sustainability, is the sheer breadth of our colour range.
Bees for Development work in progress
Our work at RHS Chelsea 2025 demonstrated the "vibrant buzz" as the designers curated a palette of over 20 stunning hues, including Protek Royal Exterior in bold Clouded Yellow and French Lilac, and the striking Carmine Red. We even developed a completely bespoke orange-ochre colour to ensure the garden’s harmony was absolute.
Clouded Yellow | French Lilac | Carmine Red
In 2026, the palette shifts toward the soft, natural tones of the riverbank, yet the requirement for professional quality remains the same and Protek products provide the "architectural colour bones" of the garden.
An impressive range of over 160 colours and wood tones allows designers to treat wood like a canvas. From the intricate patterns seen on the upcycled hives of 2025 to the crafted doors and planters of the houseboat deck in 2026, Protek provides the versatility and quality that professionals demand.
As we move into the 2026 show, we carry that same spirit. ‘Tales From The Riverbank’ is a reminder that even the smallest spaces - be it a balcony, a deck, or a small urban plot -can be a sanctuary and a haven for nature. Let’s take a deep dive into the design, purpose and soul of the 2026 space…
The 2026 Vision: BIG dreams for an inspiring SMALL space
‘Tales From The Riverbank’ is designed to showcase how even the smallest most unconventional outdoor spaces can become vibrant, productive sanctuaries. Inspired by the lifestyle of a young professional couple living on a Thames houseboat, the design seamlessly bridges the gap between indoor living and the natural world through a concentrated, "honest" garden of organic edibles, herbs, and repurposed materials.
It is the first time a riverboat has been featured at RHS Chelsea – with a living space and garden blending the exterior and interior of the abode to investigate the dynamics and joy of this microcosm that can create energy in an intelligent and simplistic way. It encapsulates a theory for living drawn through the natural elements from the river and nature.
We’ve even got our own gnome – we couldn’t resist the temptation to embrace the unique opportunity of gnomes legitimately returning to RHS Chelsea in 2026 to inject humour and personality into the space. We worked closely with the designer, Susie Kennedy, to source the correct gnome ‘character’ for a Protek pimp-up. The original gnome choice was a bit too "fierce and creepy" so it has been swapped for a friendlier, traditional gnome holding a fishing rod, which perfectly matches the houseboat theme. The upcycled and refreshed character will be revealed when the show opens on Monday 18th May 2026.
For Protek, it’s an honour to be invited by the designers to be a part of the ultimate ‘inside outside’ space and exciting to see a joyful cornucopia of concentrated proximity. The focus is on this essential role of protection and uplifting colour in the space alongside the use of sustainable wood treatments at play in this sensitive riverside environment.
The headline aims and realisation for the garden are:
-
Relatability: Emphasising that balcony and container gardens provide achievable inspiration at RHS Chelsea, in contrast to the key show gardens.
-
Sustainability: Highlighting the use of repurposed end-of-life materials like scaffold boards and the considered sustainable nature of Protek products.
-
Craftsmanship: The garden's handmade wooden oak posts and gallows showcase the traditional skills of boat building and hand-made and creatively detailed painted doors adorned with folk art
-
Inside-outside Living: Capturing the seamless flow of living in close quarters with nature.
The garden proves that even a balcony space can be productive, practical, and breathtakingly beautiful. It celebrates a bygone era of craftsmanship, featuring a rooftop kitchen garden, a handcrafted outdoor kitchen, and a dipping tank for rainwater harvesting.
Keeping it ‘real’ - Connection to real gardens and small spaces
Garden Designer, Susie Kennedy explains, "Our balcony garden is all about relatable, accessible gardening. We wanted to show that you can grow your own organic herbs and veg in any small space while staying true to honest craftsmanship. Protek’s wood treatments were a joy to use – the quality is exceptional and a single coat completely transformed our timber with deep, beautiful colour. It’s the perfect partner for a space designed to bring a joyous, sustainable energy into everyday life.
“Kate and I met on a garden design course where we were encouraged to dream of creating a houseboat balcony garden at RHS Chelsea, inspired by Kate who has lived on one for many years. The concept is to really show how such a small area can create a living space that will allow you to cook, grow your own and have beauty. The couple in mind who would be living on the boat is a young professional couple – in fact both my son and his girlfriend who are primary school teachers. They’ve been desperate to have an outside space, and this is the first time that they can relax and start their journey in gardening growing and cooking. I hope that visitors to the garden can relate to this set up of simple container gardening as a very functional and useable but beautiful compact space and take useful and inspiring ideas home.”
Susie added, “I want to show that with a single coat of a high-quality, considered exterior Protek product, and planting skills, anyone can take a simple window box or balcony and turn it into a joyous, productive urban oasis."
The honesty of the space is reflected in the growing, Susie explains, “We have grown our own vegetables, so it's all organic. There are nibbles by slugs, some things have been attacked by aphids, some of things have bolted and overall, some things have worked and some haven’t. It’s very relatable to the to the life of a growing your own vegetables and herbs at home.”
Materials that are as sustainable as they are beautiful
Susie and Kate wanted their garden to feel like an 'honest' sanctuary, and Protek was key to achieving that.
Susie comments, “When designing for a houseboat on the river, every material choice must be weighed against its environmental impact. Protek was the natural partner for 'Tales from a River Boat'; their products not only offer a stunning palette of colours but also meet our carefully considered criteria for sustainability.”
“Using their stunning professional range of expert exterior woodcare allowed us to transform repurposed scaffold boards using the gorgeous Protek Royal Exterior in Nude Taupe, into beautiful, aged cladding that works in partnership with the river ecosystem and the people who live within it."
A beautiful hanging textile above the bench is of a map that depicts the Thames River from its source to the sea. The artist, Kate Tarling, used freehand machine embroidery, appliqué and hand embroidery to create the piece.
Bringing to life the designer selected products and colours by Protek - Why these shades work for the Riverboat theme
Natural riverside backdrop
Material choices had to be as sustainable as they are beautiful, Boon supplied the repurposed decking and scaffolding boards which were painted in Royal Exterior - Nude Taupe to give a soft, aged finish that feels both modern and deeply rooted in the natural landscape. This perfectly earthy neutral allows the organic planting to truly shine while providing the durable, sustainable protection a houseboat lifestyle demands. The colour brings a calming energy and seamlessly links the inside of the houseboat to the garden outside. Susie describes the Protek’s Nude Taupe as her “ultimate neutral with soft grey and brown undertones to bring cohesion, not dominate, the space and create the perfect canvas for edible herbs and vibrant organic vegetables. During the build phase many of the industry experts commented on the unique and appealing colour that sits seamlessly amongst the riverside hues.”
The repurposed decking needed an anchoring colour that would evoke the movement and tones of the river.
Susie says, “After careful consideration, I chose Protek Shed & Fence in Dark Blue for the decking, applying it sparingly to create a weathered effect before finishing it with a protective coat of Protek Stable Coat in Clear. Although decking stain would traditionally be used for this purpose, this proved the ideal choice for the materials in the project, and the blue tones brought a sense of moving water to the ground-level surfaces. The Protek products were expertly applied to the cladding and decking by experienced Chelsea veterans, ‘Big Fish Landscapes’.”
Traditional character
The carefully selected Protek colours provide a "wonderful feeling of tradition and age" to newer or repurposed woods, using a subtle technique to mimic the weathered look of historic Thames vessels. Enhancing and partnering with the neutral and naturally crafted wood tones, Susie boldly chose Protek Royal Exterior in Evergreen for the panels and Protek Royal Exterior Jungle Green for the set of pine doors to allow the space. These colours allowed the features to plant one foot in the natural riverside setting, and another in a modern and current on-trend colour scheme of green hues.
Bringing an folk art feel to the houseboat, the Evergreen panels were embellished by Susie, featuring a range of natural symbolic features of birds, flowers and leaves using Protek sample pots across a broad colour spectrum including Carmine Red, Antique Rose, Clouded Yellow, Drawing Room Gold, Faded Terracotta, Winter Sky, Sage Leaf, Jungle Green, Somerset Blue and Iris Blue.
Susie comments, “Boats, whether canal barges or houseboats, often have a sort of artistic community that live on the riverbank, whether it's willow weavers or traditional artists. It’s amazing when you start finding all these incredible people and we wanted to bring this feeling to our houseboat, so I’ve created my own designs and hopefully I've done a good job!”
A Legacy of Sustainability: Why Designers Choose Protek
In the world of professional garden design, the materials chosen must do more than simply deliver impeccable results; they bring a story to life … and with integrity. For designers Susie Kennedy and Kate Henning, Protek was the natural choice when they discovered the brand at RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival in 2025, where Protek secured a "double award-winning" status for the show-garden trade stand designed by Matt Leigh gardens , highlighting their quintessentially English, nature-inspired display featuring a central pear tree. The stand, which received five stars, showcased products with a nature-focused aesthetic.
Susie connected instantly with the warm reception of the Protek team at RHS Hampton Court. “The team were so wonderful, generously giving samples of all the colours and products that caught my eye. Clearly, they offered fantastic colour choices, but my next question is always sustainability and the environmental impact of the product that I'm using. Protek simply ticked all those boxes and in particular for this RHS Chelsea garden for a houseboat and the river with the environmental impact of everything you do, it has to be thought about really carefully.”
Becky Rackstraw, Director at Protek, says “Our ethos of being ‘carefully considered and consciously made’ resonates through every tin we produce. In a Chelsea setting, where every leaf and lick of paint is scrutinised by experts, our credentials as a leader in sustainable woodcare are paramount. We don’t just offer colour; we offer peace of mind. Our water-based, minimal VOC formulas ensure that while we are protecting the wooden structures of a garden, we are also protecting the people, pets, and vital pollinators that call those gardens home.”
“This commitment to sustainability isn't a new trend for us - it’s our heritage. It’s the reason professional designers return to us year after year. They know that a Protek finish isn't just a surface-level aesthetic; it’s professional-grade performance that respects the delicate balance of nature.”
Expert Woodcare: The Professional Choice for RHS Chelsea
Why do Susie and Kate trust Protek for such a high-stakes project? It comes down to professional credentials.
Our products, such as Protek Royal Exterior, are formulated to offer superior water resistance and UV protection. In the exposed environment of a riverbank (or a Chelsea balcony!), wood is under constant attack from the elements. Designers need a product that penetrates deep into the grain while providing a high-quality, breathable finish that will last.
Becky Rackstraw continues, “Working on ‘Tales from the Riverbank’ for RHS Chelsea is one of the highlights of our year. An uplifting creative journey that nourishes the soul building warm relationships and offering expert advice, something that Protek uses on a daily basis to turn a supplier into a collaborator. Just as we worked "hand in hand" with the Bees for Development team in 2025 - testing dozens of shades to find the perfect harmony - we continued this ethos to support the brilliant partnership of Susie and Kate in 2026 to ensure their vision is realised in technicolour perfection.”
A product that works on every level, Susie says, “As a professional it's been lovely to use Protek, especially for the reclaimed cladding and decking as its’ so easy to use, the colour penetrates perfectly, you can build colour as you add coats and it’s super practical as it dries quickly too.”
Meet the Designers
-
Susie Kennedy: A graduate of the London College of Garden Design with a background in floristry, Susie is renowned for her romantic planting style and a strong focus on sustainability, biodiversity, and climate resilience.
In 2025 Susie designed the Monastic Healing Garden at RHS Hampton Court, inspiring her ambition to create a garden at RHS Chelsea, with friend and fellow graduate Kate Henning. susie@kennedys-gardenstudio.co.uk
-
Kate Henning: An Architectural Technologist and Member of CIHort, Kate brings a structural eye to the project. Living on a houseboat in Surrey herself, she brings authentic, lived-in inspiration to this year’s Chelsea entry. In 2014, she founded a garden maintenance business and later trained at the London College of Garden Design. She launched her Planting Design Studio in 2025 and has completed several local projects. Kate also grows vegetables on her allotment. hello@katehenningplantingdesign.co.uk.
The Stars of the Show: Growing cooking and planting for the Future
A garden at RHS Chelsea is nothing without its planting stars. ‘Tales From The Riverbank’ features an incredible array of flora that balances aesthetics with "edimental" (edible and ornamental) productivity.
Susie says, “In my experience, there's nothing like growing veg to calm the mind and boost my mood. The feeling of empowerment, wonder and joy I get from creating a meal out of a homegrown harvest is priceless. But you don't need huge tracts of land to do it. Growing veg in containers can provide a harvest abundant enough to feed a couple of keen cooks. Just from this tiny plot, we've made a BBQ supper of flatbreads stuffed with charred veg and kale pesto (simply a matter of whizzing up baby kale, hazelnuts, parmesan, garlic and oil). Even in a small space, you can think big. At the show a ‘Big Green Egg’ will be used to create delicious dishes using seasonal edibles that can be grown in containers to by Kathy Slack, a journalist, author, veg grower and Fortnum & Mason’s vegetable expert.
The Structural Heroes
The garden is anchored by stunning specimens like Crataegus x lavalleei 'Carrierei' and the delicate Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’. These provide the height and texture that define the balcony’s silhouette.
The Kitchen Garden & Edimentals
This is a garden you can taste. The rooftop kitchen garden is bursting with life, from Wasabi and Sea Kale to Pak choi ‘Purple Rain’ and Chard ‘Bright Lights’. The inclusion of Camellia sinensis (the tea plant) and Fig ‘Little Miss Figgy’ highlights the garden's philosophy of a self-sustaining, simpler life.
Aquatic Harmony
Reflecting its houseboat setting, the dipping tank is home to vital aquatics such as Myosotis scorpioides (Forget-me-not) and Caltha palustris (Marsh Marigold), creating a micro-ecosystem that supports local biodiversity.
The Scent of the River
The herb collection is a sensory delight, featuring Portuguese Angelica, Fish Mint, Roman Chamomile, and Jerusalem Sage. These aren't just for cooking; they are chosen for their resilience and their ability to thrive in the unique microclimate of a balcony.
Full planting list
Stars of the Show
- Crataegus x lavalleei 'Carrierei'
- Malus x zumi 'Golden Hornet'
- Camellia sinensis
- Prunus incisa ‘Kojo-no-mai’
Fruits
- Citrus Fruits
- Blueberry
- Rhubarb
- 'Fulton's Strawberry
- Fig ‘Little Miss Figgy’
- Flowering Currant Strawberry
Aquatics
- Baldellia ranunculoides
- Caltha palustris
- Mentha pulegium
- Myosotis scorpioides
- Nasturtium aquaticum
- Oenanthe fistulosa
Kitchen Garden
- American Land cress
- Broad bean 'Witkiem Manita'
- Beetroot 'Rainbow Mix'
- Celery
- Chard 'Bright Lights'
- Chili Pepper
- Chinese cabbage 'Hilton'
- Cucumber 'Quick Snack'
- Mustard greens 'Pizzo'
- Courgette 'Early Gem'
- Leek 'Chefs White'
- Nasturtium
- Pak choi 'Purple Rain' F1
- Pea 'Serge'
- Potatoes
- Radish 'Rudi'
- Sea Kale
- Sugarsnap pea
- Sweet pepper – Various
- Tomato – Various
- Wasabi
Herbs
- Caraway
- Portuguese angelica
- Roman chamomile
- Purple common fennel
- Fish mint 'Flore Pleno'
- Marjoram
- Lemon balm
- Basil - Red rubin / Greek / Holy
- Curly parsley
- Jerusalem sage
- French sorrel
- Rosemary
- Salad burnet
- Thyme 'Doone Valley'
Rest of Garden
- Achillea 'Moonshine
- Aquilegia vulgaris var. stellata
- 'Ruby Port' (d) Erigeron karvinskianus
- Geum – Various
- Lythrum virgatum 'Dropmore Purple'
- Muhlenbeckia complexa
- Salvia x sylvestris 'Viola Klose'
- Thalictrum aquilegiifolium
The RHS Chelsea finish line…
After an exciting build phase, not without its challenges and setbacks, it’s on track to finish this Saturday, Susie is excited about “finally sitting back to embrace and appreciate the space after the high stress of keeping the plants and vegetables alive every morning and working hard to do our their absolute best! Of course, the team is eagerly anticipating Monday, when the garden is officially judged and the intense physical work is complete.”
It has been a privilege for Protek to support Susie and Kate achieving their mission to create a beautiful, unconventional space that brings the concept of houseboat living to the public's attention, inspiring visitors to take home small ideas that change their perspectives.
At Protek, we don’t just protect the outdoors. We protect the stories we build upon it. Immerse yourself in RHS Chelsea 2026…
Come aboard with us and follow the Protek journey to the riverbank … our commitment to sustainability, our expert professional credentials, and our unrivalled colour range make us the heartbeat of the modern garden or outside space. We will update our social media and this blog to keep you up to date, feature behind the scenes insights and news on how we are helping Susie Kennedy and Kate Henning create a masterpiece that respects the past while protecting the future. You can tune in to RHS Chelsea 2026 on the BBC coverage or even book tickets to visit the event to visit the garden.
Bring the RHS Chelsea look to your garden: a prize-winning palette
Are you planning your own RHS Chelsea inspire "Riverbank" transformation?
Explore the full range of Protek colours and sustainable woodcare products online at www.protekproducts.co.uk and discover why we are the choice of RHS Chelsea professionals. Whether you’re looking for the bold impact or gentle softness, we have the perfect protecting colour and product for your sanctuary.
Nude Taupe | Dark Blue | Jungle Green | Evergreen
Tales from the riverbank footnotes
Kennedy’s Independent Property Agents
Independent by name, Independent by nature Kennedys’ is an independent, family run property agent based in Walton on the Hill, Surrey, serving the local community and surrounding areas. Kennedys’ was founded by Peter and Susie Kennedy 20 years ago. Peter has worked tirelessly over the last two decades to build an agency that offers something that he felt was lacking at the time. We offer a fresh approach to estate agency; taking the lessons learned over our 20 years of operating and executing them with modern methods and models. We strive to provide a tailored experience for our sellers and landlords, whilst offering an inventive and knowledgeable experience to our buyers and tenants. THE SURREY HILLS The Surrey Hills has a long-established history of drawing down buyers from the big smoke; proving ever popular amongst those seeking a slower, greener lifestyle. We sit within something of a geographical sweet spot, with the capital, the coast and Heathrow all under an hour away and Gatwick just down the road, as well as some of the best-preserved green spaces in the country on our doorstep. Factor in world class schooling, leisure, and infrastructure; it’s easy to see why our humble patch of Surrey remains a favourite for those looking to escape city life.
Kate Tarling
Textile hanging Kate has made a textile map hanging which depicts the Thames River from its source to the sea. She uses a variety of techniques including freehand machine embroidery, appliqué and hand embroidery to make her maps. Inspiration was taken from the work of May Morris, William Morris’s daughter who was an embroiderer and had strong connections to The River Thames. www.katetarlingtextiles.com
Protek Wood Paint & Stain
Creatively and consciously transform outdoor spaces with Protek’s expert range of woodcare available in over 160 colours. Both professionals and consumers trust Protek to beautify, preserve and protect all garden wood with innovative water-based and environmentally considerate processes that, when dry, sit harmoniously alongside wildlife, pets and plants. Made by a Somerset family that has been winning over customers for over 40 years. www.protekproducts.co.uk
The Dipping Tank
Rainwater harvesting. British Innovation in Sustainable Rainwater Harvesting. Beautifully designed garden Dipping Tanks that are not only eco-friendly but add an exciting new feature to your garden. www.thedippingtankcompany.co.uk
