Each year, over 150,000 garden lovers and socialites descend on the show for a day packed with prettiness, inspiration and celebration.
Sponsored by The Newt in Somerset – at once a swanky hotel and a working estate – for the second year running, 2023’s Flower Show has endless delights in store.
These are the things you don’t want to miss.
ONE
The new high-end dining experience from Skye Gyngell. Her stylish pop-up restaurant, Spring Garden at Chelsea, will nestle amid the Royal Hospital’s dappled woodland and serve exquisite seasonal fare to exclusive groups and high-end clients. The top chef says: ‘Being associated with an event that combines seasonality and horticulture with sustainability and innovation ticks so many boxes for me.’
TWO
Hot garden designer of the moment Pollyanna Wilkinson’s installation entitled The Monument. Using plants, dedications and her customary flair, Wilkinson will celebrate the women – like Beth Chatto and Vita Sackville-West – who have played a key role in the development of horticulture.
Image credit: www.pollyannawilkinson.com
THREE
The Children’s Picnic. In a charming new initiative, 100 children from 10 schools in the most disadvantaged areas of London will attend a Children’s Picnic on the Monday of show week. RHS Director General Clare Matterson says: ‘We hope this picnic represents a beginning for children to connect to nature through a love of gardening.’
FOUR
The rebranding of weeds as hero plants. A third of the show gardens at Chelsea will feature weeds in attempt to reframe our attitude towards them. Tom Massey, who is creating the Royal Entomological Society’s garden at Chelsea, says: ‘People often get really stressed out about dandelions on the lawn but they are a good source of nectar … and they’re really nice to look at. There’s a lot of stigma around the word ‘weed’.’
FIVE
The Garden of Royal Reflection and Celebration. In her long reign, the late Queen barely ever missed a Chelsea Flower Show. As a tribute to her, garden designer Dave Green – in consultation with the head gardener at Sandringham – has created a peaceful garden brimming with her favourite plants.
SIX
The festive vibe. Chelsea Flower Show makes a great day out whether you are into gardens or not. It is almost impossible not to enjoy yourself there. If you don’t believe us, take as evidence the 32,145 pints of Pimms and 9,051 glasses of Fortnum & Mason Champagne that Chelsea that visitors typically consume.
SEVEN
The BBC’s excellent television coverage of the show. If you can’t get tickets or would rather peruse the gardens on TV, all is well, because the BBC – which has been filming the show since 1958 – broadcasts from Chelsea throughout the week.
By Becky Ladenburg
May 2023
