Will Young debuts psychological garden at RHS Wisley
Singer Will Young has created his first garden installation, 'Out of the Shadows', with designer Jamie Butterworth for the RHS Wisley Flower Show.
British music icon Will Young has made his garden-design debut at the RHS Wisley Flower Show. Created in collaboration with award-winning garden designer Jamie Butterworth, the installation titled 'Out of the Shadows' will be on display from 1 to 6 September 2026.
The garden explores the human mind, drawing inspiration from psychologist Carl Jung's concept of the 'shadow self'. The design uses plants, structure, and changing light to tell a story of moving from introspection to openness.
The Three Spaces of the Garden
At the heart of the installation are three distinct planted cubes, each representing a different stage in an emotional journey. The first space is called 'Beneath the Canopy'. It is deliberately dense and enclosed, filled with shade-loving plants to create a darker, mysterious environment. This area reflects the hidden parts of the psyche and encourages visitors to look inward.
The second space is named 'Where the Light Falls'. Here, the atmosphere begins to shift. Filtered sunlight passes through the planting, creating an interplay of light and shadow. This transitional zone represents the gradual process of becoming more aware of previously hidden aspects of oneself.
The final cube is 'Into the Open'. It provides a striking contrast with a more naturalistic, meadow-like planting scheme. Featuring grasses and colourful sun-loving perennials, this space suggests awakening, growth, and a willingness to embrace the future. Designer Jamie Butterworth commented on the concept, saying, 'This is such an interesting idea from Will. To use plants and the way light falls in our gardens to explore spaces that gradually emerge from shade to full sun, from shadow to light.'
A Horticultural Message on Shade
One of the key horticultural messages of 'Out of the Shadows' is that shade should not be seen as a problem in garden design. Instead, the installation demonstrates that darker areas can provide atmosphere, texture, and beauty. They offer the right conditions for plants that thrive away from full sun, providing inspiration for gardeners seeking the best plants for shade.
For Butterworth, the project was an opportunity to merge Young's interest in Jungian psychology with his own expertise in plants and design. The result is a garden that connects an abstract idea about the human mind with the tangible experience of moving through a planted landscape.
Part of the Wisley Flower Show
Presented at the RHS Wisley Flower Show, 'Out of the Shadows' forms part of a wider celebration of late-summer gardening. The event also features specialist nurseries, displays, and talks where visitors can discover new planting ideas. Will Young expressed his hope for the installation's impact. 'I hope it encourages people to see how density and shade can be beautiful and as a metaphor, invites them to look into their own psyche,' he said, adding, 'as beauty often hides in the dark.'
