RHS wreaths and garlands decorated Westminster Abbey
Festive foliage from RHS Garden Wisley was hand-selected to create traditional decorations for the Christmas Eve Royal carol service at Westminster Abbey in 2023
The RHS was invited to help decorate Westminster Abbey for the Royal Carols: Together at Christmas in 2023, hosted by the Princess of Wales, with traditional wreaths and garlands made with evergreens from RHS Garden Wisley. The carol service honoured all those who work to support babies, young children and families.
Horticulturist Gemma Burr and the RHS Wisley team were joined by plant expert Tony Le-Britton to create the decorations
Led by Curator Matt Pottage and Horticulturist Gemma Burr, the RHS Wisley team were joined by plant expert Tony Le-Britton to create 12 decorative wreaths and two 10-metre long garlands using holly, ivy and evergreens from our National Plant Collections. RHS Wisley holds the National Collection of both ivies and evergreen magnolias, as well as a large collection of hollies, so there was plenty of foliage to chose from.
Collecting holly for the decorations
Traditional plants such as ivy were used in the garlands and wreaths
The Princess has been involved with the RHS on several occasions, including in 2019 when she co-designed the RHS Back to Nature Garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, with Adam White and Andrée Davies. In 2023, the Princess attended the first RHS Chelsea Children’s Picnic, where she joined the children on a bug hunt and a tour of the exhibits.
