Chelsea Flower Show opens Summer Season

Are you looking for the wild or for a sanctuary? For the exotic or for something close to home? No matter where your horticultural preferences may lie, you will find something to suit your taste at the Chelsea Flower Show. Once again, the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London, have been transformed into spectacular gardens and floral displays fit for the “catwalk of the gardening world”. Its doors just opened but will admit RHS members only until May 24, when everyone will be welcome to marvel at the 16 Show Gardens, 8 Artisan Gardens, and 8 Fresh Gardens created by some of the finest contemporary designers.

Although well-established as one of the world’s most famous flower shows after a 99 year-long history, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show does not rest on its laurels. New technology will be embraced in the form of a whole garden created to function as a QR code for visitors to access further information on the exhibit.

Another premier is Fresh. With fewer constraints on designers than in other garden categories, this new category challenges designers to come up with gardens that are experimental and less conventional in design than traditional Chelsea Flower Show gardens. A dramatic feature by Tony Heywood and Alison Combie will launch the category.

Yet more news is RHS Environment, which replaces Continuous Learning and supports the RHS commitment to improving the environment through gardening. The RHS Environment exhibits will offer perspectives on the science of urban greening, highlighting how we can make the most of our green spaces – no matter how small – and help counter the effects of our changing climate. Themes will include community, water management and harnessing the power of plants to help reduce energy usage and heating costs.

This year the show will also participate in the nation’s celebrations of the Queen’s Jubilee, with an exhibition of photographs of HM The Queen at the show, and a special flower bed in tribute to the occasion. No wonder the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will be among the first visitors to the gardens, embarking on their own private tour.

Find out more about the Chelsea Flower Show at www.rhs.org.uk