Acclaimed Irish gardener Billy Alexander of Kells Bay Gardens in Co. Kerry has today announced his return to the esteemed RHS Chelsea Flower Show, taking place 20th – 24th May 2025. Alexander had considerable success at the 2023 show, securing both a Gold Medal and the coveted “Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion” award. He also received a gold medal in 2021 for his display which garnered high praise from the judges of the show”. Exhibiting at a medal-worthy standard is a hugely intensive process from a time, and financial perspective, one which requires sponsorship and an almost two-year planning window. Supporting Billy’s ambition to achieve a further gold medal in 2025 is Wilde Aparthotels, a premium lifestyle aparthotel brand, with locations in Europe’s most exciting cities.
Commenting, Billy Alexander said, “I knew from the moment I left Chelsea back in May 2023 that I would be coming back. While there is a nervousness about whether the gold streak will continue, I’m going all in! The planning began as soon as I returned home after the last show. We opened a new plant centre at the gardens, and have been taking all measures to ensure that the collection will be in perfect condition for 2025. We have even installed a heater to keep our ferns cosy and evergreen during the winter months to be at their best next May!”
Spectacular displays
Alexander’s displays consistently showcase the unique beauty and diversity of ferns from around the world. These magnificent plants thrive in the naturally temperate microclimate of Kells Bay Gardens, situated on the Ring of Kerry with breathtaking views of the Dingle Peninsula. The 2025 display ‘Wilde Kells Bay’ will be the most ambitious yet, in terms of scale at 120 metres, and complexity of design with over 100 species of ferns featured. The display will be complemented with sphagnum moss and rocks from Kells Bay that are situated in a woodland and bog garden centred around a dark, still water pool.
Cultivating success
Last year, the Royal Horticultural Society further recognised Billy’s talent and contribution to the sector with the Lawrence Medal, which is the highest honour awarded to an exhibitor for their display. It is awarded annually for the best exhibit shown to the RHS Society during a given year.
Boasting one of the largest private fern collections in Europe, Billy has specimens that hail from the Pacific Islands, Indonesia, Vietnam and New Zealand and he regularly travels to exotic locations to meet with other plant experts and to seek out new specimen to add to the collection at Kells Bay. Outside of horticultural shows, ferns from Alexander’s collection are held in high esteem and can even be found in royal grounds – including King Charles’ private place of residence Highgrove House in Gloucestershire, UK. This year, Wilde Aparthotels have come on board to support Billy’s ambition at RHS Chelsea.
Speaking about the opportunity, Kelly Morgan, Managing Director of Wilde Aparthotels commented, “Wilde Aparthotels is delighted to be supporting Kells Bay Gardens for what promises to be another outstanding display at Chelsea. We recently opened a new London location so it’s a fantastic time for us to be supporting Billy’s ambition to achieve another gold medal for his beautiful fern collection. We would like to wish Billy and the team every success”
For more information visit www.kellsbay.ie, or follow @kellsbaygardens on Facebook and Instagram to track Billy’s journey to Chelsea.
