The prestigious event was opened by King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Few flower festivals are more than one hundred years old. The RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place each year in May and is one of the world’s most prestigious horticultural events. This year’s event runs from 21 to 25 May and takes place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London.
The Chelsea Flower Show brings together garden designs, floral displays, exclusive shopping experiences and stellar guests. Every year, the British Royal Family attend the event to show their support. On the opening day, King Charles III and Queen Camilla met with schoolchildren who created a garden with the designer Harry Holding.
Chelsea Flower Show history
The first Chelsea Flower Show took place in 1913, and it was called the Great Spring Show. The original show took place in one tent but expanded after the First World War. During the 1930s, rock gardens were a popular feature. After the Second World War and in the 1940s, there were fewer exhibitors and stands.
In 1952, Queen Elizabeth II made her visit to the Chelsea Flower Show as a royal patron, and she went on to hold this position for 70 years. In the 1960s, the first bonsai trees made an appearance at the festival. In the 1970s, the festival became so popular that people had to be turned away. By the 2000s, the marquee was removed and replaced with a pavilion. In 2013, the event celebrated its 100th birthday and cemented its place as one of the world’s longest-running flower festivals.
Chelsea Flower Show 2024
Today, the Chelsea Flower Show is seen as the World Cup of gardening. Leading designers from around the world have created gardens for the Chelsea Flower Show 2024, and the best ones are awarded with prizes. The Floral Pavilion includes designs by Angela Turner, Julia Pearson Design, Laura Pannitt and Lara Thrope. One of the highlights is the Bridgerton Garden, which is inspired by the Netflix show, and designed by Holly Johnston.
The Chelsea Flower Show 2024 zones include All About Hedges by RHS Science, Asian Hornet by Animal and Plant Health Agency, and Diversity is Queen by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust. Plus, there is a prize for the Sustainable Garden Product of the Year.
This year’s Chelsea Flower Show is set to welcome more than 150,000 visitors. The stage hosts a range of performers, including Stone Jets, The Brass Funkeys, The Freebirds, and the West End Musical Choir. Plus, celebrity guests have included Dame Judi Dench, Hannah Dodd, Joan Collins and Trinny Woodall.
Chelsea Flower Show 2024 tickets are available now and start from £48.25.
GO: Visit www.rhs.org.uk for more information.