Heard about The Chelsea Flower Show, but not sure what it's all about?
Organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most prestigious horticultural events in the world, held annually in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. Since its inception in 1913, it has been a showcase for the best in garden design, floral displays, and horticultural excellence, attracting thousands of visitors, including royalty and celebrities. The event in 2024 ran from May 21 to 25.
One of the key features is the Great Pavilion, renowned for its stunning floral displays and hosting some of the world's best nurseries. This year, the Pavilion featured innovative designs and rare plant varieties, making it a must-see for enthusiasts.
Another highlight for 2024 was the Discovery Zone, which explored the future of horticulture. This area showcased cutting-edge research, sustainable practices, and innovative gardening techniques aimed at addressing environmental challenges. This space was dedicated to educating visitors about the impact of horticulture on the environment and the importance of sustainable gardening practices.
A new and exciting addition to this year's show was the House Plant Studios, celebrating the growing trend of indoor gardening. These studios offered creative and inspirational ideas for incorporating houseplants into living spaces, highlighting their aesthetic and health benefits. This feature attracted a lot of interest from urban gardeners and those looking to green their indoor environments.
For more information, visit the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 page.
John Mason, AGC Queensland Director, visited the Chelsea Flower Show this year with his wife, Leonie. A brief report from John:
"We visited Chelsea Flower Show on May 21st. It didn’t disappoint – inspiration at every turn, and even after 50+ years on horticulture we were seeing plenty of things we had never seen before.
"The show gardens were the stand out attraction, but there were plenty of other things that grabbed our attention, particularly plant varieties, garden art works and garden buildings that we would love to sneak into our suitcases and bring home. The prices amazed us though with sculptures everywhere displaying price tags well north of 10,000 pounds. Clearly someone is buying for them to afford to mount a stand at this show.
"Plant of the year was Prunus Starlight which was hailed to be adaptable to a wide range of soils, and a prolific winter flowering cultivar. The third prize for plant of the year was an unusual Agave that took our eye.
"One of our favourite gardens was the Bridgerton Garden, created as a reflection of the popular TV show, but perhaps we are biased because we also like the show.
"Having heard so many horror stories about crowds, we were there around 8am when the gates opened, weather was clear, and we saw a lot before the crowds started getting a bit overwhelming late morning. We left in the middle of the day when it was becoming difficult to move with increasing crowds and wet weather settling in, but we were content, inspired and brewing all sorts of ideas for our garden back home."
Enjoy this selection of photos from John - it's no wonder people talk about their experiences there for years to come! An unmissable destination for every gardening enthusiast.