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The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is fast approaching, and this year our planters and pedestals will once again take pride of place on the Harkness Roses stand, a highlight of the grand pavilion. Harkness consistently creates a sumptuous display, full of colour and fragrance. Their 2025 stand has been designed for the second consecutive year by the talented Mia Niklasson, a Swedish landscape and garden designer based in Suffolk. We were delighted to catch up with Mia to learn more about her background and design philosophy.
Landscape Designer Mia Niklasson
Why did you choose to design the Chelsea stand for Harkness?
Harkness grows extraordinary roses, and each year at Chelsea they unveil a special new charity rose. Last year’s was in honour of the iconic Chelsea Pensioners.
We remember that – the red rose was stunning and smelled wonderful. So, what’s in store for 2025?
This year, Harkness is unveiling not one but two charity roses, and I can’t wait for everyone to see them. The first is the beautiful Catherine’s Rose. It has been named by the RHS in honour of Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, to celebrate the remarkable healing power of nature and raise awareness of the positive impact that spending time outdoors can have on our wellbeing.
This exquisite pink floribunda has a strong fragrance and produces an abundance of blooms, which will be adored by pollinators. Proceeds from each sale will support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, in recognition of the care they provided during the Princess’s recent recovery. The funds will contribute to a pioneering training programme for clinical teams supporting cancer patients across the UK.
The second rose won’t be red, and it will be displayed in Chilstone planters – but that’s all I can say for now! There’s also a little musical surprise included in the stand design, but you’ll have to come along to see it for yourself.
What drew you to working with roses in the first place?
My passion for roses began during my travels in Kyrgyzstan, where I studied wild native rose species in their natural environment. This experience, along with my collaboration with Harkness Roses, gave me a deep appreciation for the unique traits of both wild and cultivated varieties. I bring this insight into my planting schemes, blending roses to showcase their individual characteristics—whether in harmony or contrast—to create richly expressive garden compositions.
You studied biology at university—was that where your love of plants began?
Yes, that’s where it started. But after moving to the UK, I fell in love with my own small garden and decided to study horticulture. Over time, I developed my design style, influenced by my Scandinavian heritage. I aim to balance form and function, using natural materials to bring warmth and foster a deep connection with the surrounding landscape.
I became a member of the Society of Garden Designers and spent five years teaching landscape design. I really enjoyed nurturing new talent and sharing my passion for creating meaningful outdoor spaces. Although I’m now too busy to teach, I’ve had the privilege of working on a wide variety of projects, including private gardens, hospital courtyards, schools, and commercial sites. I specialise in designing wellbeing gardens and was honoured to win a Building Better Healthcare award in 2023 for a therapeutic garden created for a CAMHS outpatient unit in Hertfordshire.
You’ve worked with schools in London too – tell us more.
Yes, I design school grounds with a particular focus on meeting the needs of children with additional requirements. Designing for play and wellbeing may seem worlds apart from a show garden at Chelsea – and in many ways it is – but good design always starts with the same principle: ensuring the space is fit for purpose. I describe my approach as human-centred and plant-driven. It’s all about how the space will be used, then selecting plants that support and enhance that purpose.
It must be wonderful to work with so many beautiful roses at Chelsea. Do you have any favourites in your own garden?
I do! Rosa Dortmund is a strong climber and great for covering fences. I also love Rosa William Morris for its elegant scent, and I’m very fond of Julia’s Rose and Rosa Hot Chocolate.
Thank you for your time, Mia. We can’t wait to see the Harkness stand this year.
The Harkness Roses stand, designed by Mia Niklasson, will be located inside the grand pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which runs from 20th to 24th May. You can find out more about Mia and her work on her website.
Our Broughton Tazza, which features in Mia’s design, is handcrafted in our Kent workshop and is available to order. Explore our full range of planters, urns, and pedestals online—or pop in and see us in person.
Chilstone’s Broughton Tazza and pedestal will be on display at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
For more information on Interview with Chelsea Flower Show Designer for Harkness Roses talk to Chilstone Architectural Stone & Garden Ornaments