Capel Manor College Students Win Highly Commended at Chelsea in Bloom 2026 with Mythical Chelsea Heritage Quarter Installation
On Monday 18 May, Chelsea Heritage Quarter unveiled the design for its official entry into Chelsea in Bloom 2026, a striking floral installation inspired by Poseidon, mythology and the mysteries of the sea.
The installation was awarded Highly Commended at The Chelsea in Bloom Awards on Tuesday 19 May, achieving second place out of 145 entries. This is an impressive achievement and testament to the creativity, professionalism and hard work demonstrated by all involved from Capel Manor College.
Designed by floristry student Daniela Lane from Capel Manor College and installed by a team of students and tutors from the College, the installation will be on display until Sunday 24 May 2026 as part of this year’s “Out of this World” theme. Visitors are encouraged to explore the installation and cast their votes during the week-long festival, which attracts more than 1.5 million visitors annually.
Produced by Cadogan in collaboration with the Royal Horticultural Society, Chelsea in Bloom extends the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show into the streets of Chelsea and is London’s largest free-to-attend flower festival.
Chelsea Heritage Quarter – the cultural partnership encompassing Royal Hospital Chelsea, National Army Museum and Chelsea Physic Garden – launched a competition earlier this year inviting floristry students from Capel Manor College to design and deliver its official installation.
Daniela’s winning concept has sustainability at its heart and features a dramatic driftwood sculpture of Poseidon holding the reins of two horses, created in collaboration with sculptor Harvey Mayson. The sculptures are adorned with grasses and mosses to evoke seaweed, emerging from an ocean of blue and white flowers. Hand-embroidered fish decorated with thousands of glass beads and dried flowers appear to leap from the waves, creating an immersive mythical seascape.
Daniela said:
“My inspiration came from Greek and Roman mythology and, strangely enough, from watching Horrible Histories growing up. When I saw the National Army Museum site, I remembered a sketch about Emperor Caligula declaring war on Poseidon. That led me to research myths and classical artwork surrounding Poseidon, which became the basis for my design.”
Speaking about the collaborative process behind the installation, Daniela added:
“I’ve worked with Harvey through the floristry department, and we worked together to refine the sculpture and bring the design to life.”
Daniela is currently studying the Level 3 Technical Diploma in Floristry at Capel Manor College’s Gunnersbury Park Campus.
Every vote counts
Visitors are encouraged to visit Chelsea Heritage Quarter during the festival week, experience the installation in person and vote for the display as part of the Chelsea in Bloom People’s Champion Award.
