For the first time in its history, the University of Cambridge is appearing at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show – and it’s bringing flowers to life like never before.
The Sainsbury Laboratory, in partnership with the University’s Department of Engineering and local grower Oakington Garden Centre, has created an immersive experience called Blooming Numbers. The exhibit forms part of the GreenSTEM showcase and offers visitors a rare glimpse into the pioneering world of plant science, where petals meet programming, and blooms are decoded by biosensors.
From 20 to 24 May, guests can explore how flowers grow, evolve and interact with the world – not just through sight and scent, but through the latest tools in computational modelling, molecular biology, and biomechanics.
Visitors can get hands-on with plant science: see flowers as bees do using UV cameras, examine petals under scanning electron microscopes, and even build a plant mini-genome. The Pollinator Patch, designed by Oakington Garden Centre, anchors the display with living examples of plants studied by researchers.
Dr Edwige Moyroud, who leads a team exploring petal pattern formation, said:
“We hope to ignite curiosity and encourage people to see the plant world with fresh eyes. It’s a brilliant time to be a scientist, and this is a chance to show how much more there is to discover about the plants we rely on every day.”
Dr Sarah Robinson’s team is showcasing how plant cells grow and adapt under stress, while Dr Madelaine Bartlett is highlighting the complexity of grasses – the quiet heroes of agriculture and ecosystems.
With support from The Gatsby Charitable Foundation, Blooming Numbers bridges the gap between academic research and public wonder. The exhibit aims not only to inform but to inspire a new appreciation for the intricate, invisible world of plants.
Find the Sainsbury Laboratory’s exhibit in the Great Pavilion at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 20–24 May.
