Skip to content

Chelsea Flower Show: First ever virtual event opens

PA Media Show Garden at eventPA Media
The virtual Chelsea Flower Show will be taking place throughout the week

The first ever virtual Chelsea Flower Show is under way with organisers billing it as being "about sharing gardening knowledge".

The event usually takes place annually at London's Royal Hospital Chelsea, but was cancelled for the first time since World War Two due to the lockdown.

Content including tours of gardens by designers like Monty Don and demonstrations are being posted online.

"[The show is] happening, just not quite as we know it," said Don.

Marsha Arnold Monty DonMarsha Arnold
Monty Don gave a tour of his garden on the first day of the event
PA Media Gates of Royal Chelsea HospitalPA Media
The gates of Royal Chelsea Hospital have remained closed this year because of the lockdown

Different themes will be followed each day, such as wildlife gardening, health and wellbeing, and growing plants in small or indoor spaces.

RHS Alan TitchmarshRHS
Broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh features in the virtual show
RHS Designer giving tips about gardenRHS
Experts will be providing tips and hints about gardening throughout the week

There will also be potting demonstrations, a "school gardening club" and lunchtime Q&As with garden experts.

Getty Images Chelsea pensioners at eventGetty Images
Chelsea pensioners from the hospital also feature in one of the behind-the-scenes tours

Katherine Potsides, head of shows development at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), told the BBC exhibitors who would normally be at the event would be "showing us round the corners of their gardens" and demonstrating "what they're doing at this time to brighten up their own back yards".

"Part of virtual Chelsea really is about sharing that gardening knowledge," she said.

BBC Garden designer Tom MasseyBBC
Garden designer Tom Massey has
BBC Garden at the eventBBC
The show normally attracts thousands of visitors

In a message to its organisers, the Queen said she and her family had "always enjoyed visiting the show" and she was "pleased to hear that you will be providing gardening advice and virtual sessions on your website".

"As you adapt to the present circumstances, I hope you find this unique event enjoyable and interesting," she said.

PA Media King George V and Queen Mary visit the Chelsea Flower Show in 1930PA Media
The Royal Family have been regulars at the event including King George V and Queen Mary in 1930
PA Media The Queen at the eventPA Media
The Queen is a patron of the RHS

RHS members will be able to see the content from Monday, with it being made available for everyone else over the rest of the week.

Special programmes looking back at the best of the Chelsea Flower Show will also be shown on BBC One and BBC Two.

BBC Presentational grey line

Chelsea Flower Show

RHS/Luke MacGregor 2019 flower exhibitRHS/Luke MacGregor
  • The first show opened on 20 May 1913 with the first events held over three days within a single marquee
  • A show still took place in 1915 after war was declared in Europe although with fewer exhibitors. It was then cancelled for the remainder of World War One
  • Rain during the 1932 show was so severe that a summer house fell to pieces
  • The flower show was discontinued again in 1939 due to World War Two, only returning in 1947
  • The RHS lifted its ban on gnomes for the centenary show in 2013 and famous faces such as Elton John and Helen Mirren painted figures to sell for charity
  • The current Great Pavilion is about 11,775 sq m (2.9 acres) in size, approximately enough room to park 500 London buses
BBC Presentational grey line

All images subject to copyright