Gardeners are being encouraged to plant "mini woodlands" to promote wildlife and reduce pollution, as next year's Chelsea Flower Show is expected to showcase forests and wild gardens as the latest gardening trend.

While many associate the horticultural show with painstakingly pruned bushes, flawless flowers and manicured lawns, the next show will be full of gardens inspired by wildlife.

Last year's heatwave showcased the cooling properties of trees - and left many gardeners wishing they had more to hide under on their properties.

A number of gardens at RHS Chelsea 2019 are inspired by woodland gardens, and are intended for an urban setting highlighting the benefit of trees for cooling cities and removing pollution. Gardeners with small spaces can look to these for inspiration.

RHS Chief Horticulturist, Guy Barter, said that not only can mini woodlands look attractive, they are an environmental asset to any garden.

He told The Telegraph: "Trees are the single most important way for gardeners to improve the environment and help wildlife, rivalled only by ponds so introducing more trees to one’s garden and creating a miniature woodland will encourage wildlife and help reduce pollution particularly in urban areas. Well-chosen small trees, such as ornamental and fruiting apples and cherries, and for little gardens large shrubs, smoke bush is a good one, can be fitted into any garden no matter how humble.