Chelsea Flower Show designer on how to avoid missing out when travelling & her ‘endless inspiration’

Balconies. A much-sought-after addition to a property (remember how smug everyone was about their urban outdoor space during lockdown?) but also what everyone longs for on a cruise ship.

No matter how much one bangs on about the perks of an inside cabin (and indeed the savings are super), it’s a truth universally acknowledged that a room with a balcony (and ergo view) is where it’s at.

High-end cruise lines – think Seabourn, Regent Seven Seas and Viking – have cottoned on, with every accommodation boasting a balcony for you to dine, dream and downward dog on (hey, you do you).

In fact, Viking is so committed to balconies that it’s sponsoring a balcony garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2023, just as it did in 2022. This year the brand is backing Christina Cobb’s Restorative Balcony Garden [below, right] and it’s not just because it loves the great outdoors.

“Travel is known for its restorative nature,” Cobb told Sailawaze, while the garden “brings reclaimed and natural materials together with soft and textured planting to create a peaceful space.

“All this is in keeping with an appreciation of nature and the design of Viking’s ships [suite pictured below, left] which feature natural materials, woven textiles, soft wood panelling, a blue-toned neutral palette and natural light.”

Globetrotting amid luxury is not just therapeutic though, it’s also an excellent way to get the creative juices… flowering (sorry).

“Travel is one of the greatest ways to provide fresh inspiration for so many things in life, and I love seeing how people garden and use their outside space in other countries,” Cobb explained (something she shares with famous composer Debbie Wiseman).

“Whether it’s clustering pots on a tiny balcony in Naples, cascades of Bougainvillea brightening the facade of a building in Milos, or dividing spaces with formal parterres in Paris, I have seen countless beautiful details when exploring a new city.”

For serious inspo germination (again, sorry) why not check out a world-renowned garden while you’re away if your itinerary allows?

On a Douro River cruise in Portugal, head to Mateus Palace [below, right], where landscaping began in the 1700s and has been expanded upon and developed every century since. The space is lush and green, with formal hedging and tranquil lakes.

If you’re sailing the Holy Lands, don’t miss the Baháʼí Gardens (or Hanging Gardens of Haifa) in Israel. Split across 19 terraces, the gardens incorporate Persian, Indian and English influences and come with gobsmacking views over the Mediterranean Sea.

Cobb [above, left] maintains her recent cruise onboard Viking Venus to see the Northern Lights has helped her blossom (we can’t stop) in her work.

“The Scandinavian philosophy of simple but excellent and effective is evident in Viking’s ships, and I really want to ensure this translates into the feeling of my garden,” she said. “It is very easy to get carried away when designing for Chelsea, thinking you must create something elaborate or bold, but my style is a little more understated with high attention to detail.

“I was reminded of how captivating this can be after spending time aboard Viking Venus, and I have returned home with renewed confidence in my design.”

The garden designer was particularly enamoured by the visitor experience – “something I will be taking into deeper consideration when fine-tuning the design of the garden” – and was very pleasantly surprised by “the feeling of equality amongst all the guests.”

Wait, has Viking found the solution to FOMO (fear of missing out) at sea? “Because Viking offers such an inclusive service you never feel like someone is having a better experience than you on the other side of a private door, and I think this serves to make all guests feel very comfortable around one another,” Cobb elaborated.

“There are always jovial conversations happening between different couples or groups and it creates such a warm atmosphere across the ship [Wintergarden pictured below, right],” she added.

Cobb was less satisfied with her own packing skills, however. “We were so worried we were going to be freezing that we overcompensated on warm clothing and totally under-packed everyday outfits for the ship… the temperature onboard was so comfortable you could forget it was -17 degrees outside!”

“My top tip would be to pack equally for both indoors and outdoors!” she advised, and a camera. “I absolutely love taking pictures whenever I travel, and my photos are something I truly treasure,” Cobb explained. “It’s so lovely to be able to revisit amazing trips such as this one and relive all the great experiences.”

Your snaps may well also come in useful when you want to action what you spotted while on holiday in your own home and garden!

And, if you are creating a small garden space, treat it like you would a getaway – plan; that’s the designer’s number one tip. “So many people look at an empty space, panic, and then just buy the first pots and plants they see at the garden centre,” cautioned Cobb. “Often these are disproportionate, don’t make efficient use of the space, and just won’t give you value for money.

“Before buying anything, really think about how you want to use your space and assess the amount of light it gets. Do you want room to sit and have a coffee? Do you want to absolutely pack it with planting? Which areas get the most sun? Does the space get any sun at all? Is it sheltered or quite windy? Do you need planting for privacy? Are there any walls or fences where you can train climbers for extra greenery?”

Phewf, that’s a lot to think about for one little garden. Maybe for now we’ll just go and hang out in Cobb’s balcony [above, right] at the Chelsea Flower Show. Or better yet, get onboard a Viking cruise. That will show those smug folks from lockdown who the real winner is.

This year the Chelsea Flower Show will run from 23 – 27 May 2023.