New AI-enhanced garden at Chelsea Flower Show unveiled

Avanade has announced the unveiling of the Avanade Intelligent Garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, marking its 25th year with an initiative aimed at boosting urban tree survival through AI technology.

The Avanade Intelligent Garden represents a collaboration between Avanade and Microsoft, focused on utilising sensors and artificial intelligence to improve urban tree care and ensure healthier urban green spaces. The display will offer a chance to demonstrate how these technologies can enhance the resilience of cities' ecosystems. It was designed by RHS Chelsea Gold Medal winners Tom Massey and Je Ahn and employs advanced sensors for real-time monitoring of tree health and environmental factors.

Visitors to the Avanade Intelligent Garden will be able to engage with the 'TreeTalk' feature, an AI-powered solution enabling one-on-one interactions with the trees. This technology is designed to inform visitors about the trees' specific care needs and general wellbeing, while also alerting custodians to potential issues such as irrigation problems.

Urban trees are crucial for city environments, capable of reducing temperatures by up to 5°C as well as capturing significant amounts of CO2, according to the Forestry Commission. However, challenges persist, with around 50% of urban trees reportedly failing to reach the 10-year mark.

Annette Giardina, Avanade's UK Innovation & Sustainability Lead, stated, "With 2024 confirmed as the hottest year on record, the role of urban trees in cooling our cities and improving air quality has never been more critical. Unfortunately, sometimes trees are planted without the right data to hand, which affects long-term survival strategies. AI has the power to change that—giving urban trees and their guardians a fighting chance."

Tom Massey commented on the integration of technology with traditional horticultural practices, saying, "We are exploring how technology might support human efforts to maintain nature's balance in the face of the climate crisis. Urban trees worldwide are increasingly under threat, and our goal is to develop an AI tool that complements—rather than replaces—human knowledge and judgement. By providing clear, practical, and actionable insights, this tool aims to support custodians of urban trees in making informed, sustainable decisions that protect and enhance the long-term health of the trees under their stewardship."

Beyond its tree care initiatives, the garden also highlights various sustainable designs, including a pavilion clad with materials from trees affected by Ash Dieback, a swale for stormwater management, and a forest-garden promoting biodiversity and edible plants.

Pam Maynard, Chief AI Transformation Officer at Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions, added, "The urgency of climate action demands new solutions. AI doesn't replace human tree custodians—it enhances their ability to protect these vital natural assets. By leveraging AI-driven insights through Microsoft's Azure OpenAI, Avanade is pioneering sustainable horticulture that supports tree longevity for generations to come."

The introduction of AI-driven methods could potentially increase tree survival, boost climate resilience, and ensure cities remain green and habitable. The Avanade Intelligent Garden will be open to the public at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show from 20th to 24th May 2025, where it will be presented to an audience of 168,000 attendees and evaluated by the RHS judges.