(800) 975-7775

 

Click here to join us on our Castle & Garden Tour that features the Chelsea Flower Show

History

This is the 82nd Chelsea Flower Show to be held at the Royal Hospital.

The Chelsea Flower Show is the lasting title of an exhibition with a history of over 140 years. The Show was originally called the Royal Horticultural Society's Great Spring Show, first held in 1862, at the RHS garden in Kensington. In 1888 when that garden was closed (the Science Museum and Imperial College now occupy its site), the Society found itself without a site in central London at which to hold the Show. It was then moved to Temple Gardens near the Embankment, where it was held under canvas until 1911.

In 1912, the Temple Show was cancelled to make way for the Royal International Horticultural Exhibition. Sir Harry Veitch, the great nurseryman, secured the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, for this one-off event. It proved such a good site for an exhibition that the Great Spring Show was moved there in 1913, where it has taken place almost annually since.

Despite the First World War, the Show was held 1914 - 1916, but was cancelled in 1917 & 1918. By the roaring 1920s, the Chelsea Flower Show was back in full swing, the famous Chelsea tea parties were established and Royal visits resumed. In 1926 the Show was held a week late due to the General Strike.

In 1937, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth celebrated their Coronation Year, and to mark the occasion, a superb Empire Exhibition was staged. It featured wattles from Australia, pines from Canada, brilliant gladioli from East Africa and even a big prickly pear from the Palestine.

The Show was cancelled during the Second World War, as the land was required by the War Office for an anti-aircraft site. Some doubt arose as to whether the Show would resume in 1947. The majority of exhibitors wanted a postponement, as stocks of plants were low, staff much depleted and fuel for greenhouses was obtainable only with special permits. Lord Aberconway (then RHS President) and the RHS Council felt strongly that the Show should resume as soon as possible. As it turned out, a Show went ahead in 1947 and it was a great success.

The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 was sufficient cause for a flower show, which reflected the celebratory mood of the country. Most members of the Royal family attended that year. Unfortunately, due to a relentless stream of other commitments, the only Royal unable to attend was the Queen herself!

The Show was originally held for three days only - from Tuesday to Thursday - until 1925 when it was kept open for five days. This arrangement proved unpopular with exhibitors and it was decided to open the Show to the public for three days with a private viewing for RHS Members on the preceding day. Today, of course, the Show is open to RHS Members on Tuesday and Wednesday and the public on Thursday and Friday.

Over almost a century, the Chelsea Flower Show has witnessed numerous changes in horticultural fashion. Show Gardens, over the years, have mirrored the changing enthusiasms of garden designers - from the Japanese and topiary gardens of the early days (Japanese dwarf trees, now known as bonsai, were seen at the first Show in 1913), through the rock garden craze during the war years, the paved back yards and cottage gardens of the 1980s, to the contemporary sculptural gardens of the present day.

The Show is constantly evolving; only last year the Small Gardens competition had a face-lift, when the new categories Courtyard, Chic and City were introduced. The competition was broadened to accept entries from anyone, rather than only the horticultural societies and colleges, which were eligible before.

The Chelsea Flower Show is still viewed as the most important event in the horticultural calendar. Garden designers from around the world compete for space at the most famous of flower shows. With new trends constantly appearing - illustrated in the changing face of garden design - it is certain that the Chelsea Flower Show will continue to mark this country’s ever-changing horticultural history.