Denmans Garden collaborates in a variety of ways with local artists, designers, and makers by hosting events and workshops and showcasing work in the Denmans Garden Gift Shop and garden.

As part of an occasional series, we interview these artists on our blog page to find out more about their work and inspiration.  Here is West Sussex native Megan Warren-Davis’s description of her first exhibition garden which will be featured at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival in May 2025.  Founder of Forest Interior, a company that creates sustainable plant pots, horticulture is in Megan’s DNA.  She was not interested in horticulture, however, until she went to university when a simple succulent gifted to her by a university flatmate ignited her deep connection with the world of plants and the many ways they can enrich our lives.  Neo Flora, her Indoor Plant Garden Installation created in collaboration with Outdoor Living Gardens and sponsored by the John Brookes-Denmans Foundation, aims to inspire young people about the benefits of houseplants. 

Here is her description of  her project which will be brought to Denmans Garden and adapted for display later this month.

So, why go through all the stress of designing and building a show garden? Why create Neo Flora? Why spend countless hours surrounded by soil, neon lights, and an ever-growing collection of houseplants?

Because it’s fun—and because it matters.

Neo Flora is an innovative indoor plant garden that I have designed in collaboration with landscaper John Tallis for the Royal Horticultural Society’s Malvern Spring Festival (8th–11th May 2025). The project has been officially selected as one of only eight indoor garden designs to be built and judged by specialist plant experts at the show.

My journey into horticulture began as a student when I discovered the joy of houseplants. After graduating, I worked at a commercial plant nursery in West Sussex before joining the marketing team at RHS Wisley. Alongside my career, I have spent two years volunteering as Social Media Manager for the Young People in Horticulture Association (YPHA), where I met John, an experienced show garden builder with award-winning exhibits at Malvern and Chelsea.

Neo Flora is my first show garden, but it’s more than just an exhibit—it’s a statement on the mental health challenges faced by urban teenagers who lack access to green spaces.

The concept reimagines a teenager’s bedroom in an urban setting, blending a grunge cyberpunk aesthetic with a newfound love for indoor plants. Inspired by TV shows like Arcane and the neon glow of cities like Hong Kong, Tokyo, and Las Vegas, the space features dark walls, distressed furniture, alternative band posters, and bold LED lighting in electric blue, magenta, and green. This moody, chaotic environment reflects the teenager’s state of mind, while indoor plants and hydroponic propagations—such as a wardrobe waterfall and flowing propagation area—introduce softness and balance.

Soilless propagation will be displayed in clear acrylic or glass containers with nutrient-rich water, exposing the roots. Visible tubing and reservoirs add a tech-inspired, experimental feel. Grow lights in pink, purple, blue, red, and white will ensure the plants thrive in the dimly lit space. Under-bed lighting will highlight tropical plants below, while succulents, needing more light, will be positioned near the grow lights. Understory plants like monsteras, philodendrons, and begonias will occupy shadier corners.

Neo Flora highlights rising anxiety and depression among teenagers by creating a space that mirrors their mental state—chaotic, racing thoughts, and darkness representing low mood and the oppressive urban environment. The introduction of plants offers a stark contrast, showing how nature’s calming influence can break through. This design aims to inspire young people to incorporate plants into their lives, demonstrating that greenery can thrive in any space, no matter how imperfect.

Living in areas with more green space is linked to a 20% reduction in anxiety and depression, yet many urban teens and young adults lack access to nature. In 2023-24, over 500 children a day in England were referred to mental health services for anxiety—more than double the number in 2019-20. Houseplants offer an accessible way to experience nature’s therapeutic benefits, encouraging both teenagers and parents to see them as essential elements of a home.

By 2025, new residential developments in London may feature windows up to 60% smaller than elsewhere in the UK to combat overheating, further limiting natural light and views. This increasing sense of confinement is reflected in Neo Flora’s design, reinforcing the importance of bringing nature indoors.

Key plants:

Monstera deliciosa – “There will be a hydroponics feature of the monstera in a large glass bowl which will be underlit to illuminate the root system of the propagated stems. We have chosen this monstera as it is one of the most recognisable houseplants as well as being very forgiving to beginner plant enthusiasts.”

Epipremnum aureum (aka golden pothos) – “A very common accessible plant that grows great in most soil and soilless mediums. It’s a really versatile plant that is very forgiving an great for anyone learning how to propagate a plant. The Epipremnum will feature all around the room as it can easily grow in most places.”

Columnea arguta – “This is slightly more unusual, however can be purchased from many plant retailers so is accessible for anyone wanting a trailing plant. These vine-like, semi-succulent leaves form a nice thick blanketing effect that is perfect to in place of the window curtains.”

Cryptanthus ‘Rubin Star’ – “The vivid pinks of this plant reflect the style and personality of the room. They’re also great inspiration if a visitor wanted to have one in their own home as they’re easy to care for and compact. These will be dotted around the room for colourful impact.”

Athyrium niponicum (Japanese painted fern) – “Ferns are often overlooked when it comes to showcasing houseplants, but they don’t have to be plain, they can also be used to add different colours to spaces and are great filler plants, plus they are really easy to care for.”

 

Megan Warren-Davis management@forestinterior.co.uk