The Resilience Garden is part of a cultural programme that marks the Forestry Commission’s centenary in 2019, celebrating 100 years of forestry while looking forward to the future.
The garden will feature several habitats mimicking existing and probable effects of climate change, including warmer, drier summers and wetter winters, all inspired by Victorian gardener William Robinson.
The Forestry Commission says that through experimental tree planting trials, it is introducing a greater diversity of species on its estate, "to create resilient forests with space for nature".
The Resilience Garden is sponsored by the William Robinson Trust and Gravetye Manor Hotel & Restaurant, the Kingscote Estate and the Forestry Commission. Defra and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) are also partners for this project.
Eberle said: "The Forestry Commission centenary is a once in a lifetime opportunity to look to the future – to the next 100 years – and address the big challenges around climate change, tree health and resilience.
"The garden investigates how planting a greater diversity of species is an essential exercise in ensuring our gardens and landscapes are healthy for generations to come. I’d like to see this garden impress, inspire debate, and spur people into action – and Chelsea is the place to present big ideas."
Sir Harry Studholme, Chair of the Forestry Commission, said: "2019 is 100 years on from the visionary Forestry Act which not only created the Forestry Commission, but set in motion a century over which the forest area of Britain has more than doubled."
"Our forests are now facing new threats such as climate change and tree disease. This garden is a partnership between parties who care very deeply about how we ensure our landscapes are resilient, now and in the future. This is exactly the right time to be looking ahead and working together to ensure our landscapes are healthy for future generations."
Eberle has won 16 Gold Medals at Chelsea Flower Show and will also mentor Lilly Gomm to design Hillier's garden at the 2019 show.
Hillier said: "Hillier Nurseries will exhibit again at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019, hoping to continue its record-breaking gold medal streak. Lilly Gomm will make her Chelsea debut as designer, mentored by Sarah Eberle, Chelsea Flower Show’s most decorated designer. The Hillier Chelsea Garden will once again be created in collaboration with STIHL. The Hillier garden will once again be a platform to exhibit new plant varieties, showcase the vast variety of plants grown on Hillier nurseries along with plants and
products available from Hillier garden centres."
Chelsea will also have show gardens from:
Jonathan Snow is set to return with another Trailfinders garden after debuting with a silver gilt for the travel company in 2018.
Anne-Marie Powell will design a Chinese-sponsored garden, returning after winning gold in 2010 and silver in 2011.
Matthew Wilson will design for a Yorkshire-based health charity. He won silver and people's choice for Welcome to Yorkshire in 2016.
Tom Hoblyn is set to design a Dubai sponsored garden. He won silver gilt and people's choice in 2012 for Arthritis Research. Among other Chelsea gardens was a silver gilt for Homebase in 2011.
Andy Sturgeon is favourite for best in show with an M&G-sponsored garden built and supplied by Crocus. Sturgeon has seven Chelsea golds including two best in shows, in 2016 and 2010.
Mark Gregory returns with Welcome to Yorkshire and is favourite to retain the People’s Choice award. Gregory has multiple Chelsea golds as a designer and Gregory's Landform Consultants has built a record number of Chelsea show gardens.
Jo Thompson also returns with a Wedgwood-sponsored garden, for whom she won gold in 2018.
An Ikea feature is set to be designed by Tom Dixon on the central site in the marquee.
An outdoor show campaign feature on children and gardening is set to have royal involvement, possibly from Duchess of Cambridge. A designer has yet to be allocated.
The HTA will have a National Children’s Gardening week themed garden in the Discovery Zone, designed by former Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins, that will feature new plant launches and child-friendly gardening ideas.
Frederic Whyte will design an interactive garden inspired by the journeys of 10 Inspirational Children and Young People’s Award winners. Film maker Nicholas Connor is among them and will be one of those helping Whyte design the garden.
Kate Gould is set to design for children's hospice garden charity Greenfingers.
