Virtual Chelsea 2020 – not the words I was expecting to type for this year’s extravaganza. Far from it. I was planning some delicious early morning photos for you, of Chelsea before the crowds, with the early sunlight casting shadows on the show gardens.
But life doesn’t always turn out as we planned. And the initial cancellation of RHS Chelsea 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown was a real set back to the hard hit horticultural trades. And such a disappointment for all those people – of whom you, my Gentle Reader may be one – who were looking forward to visiting the flagship flower show of the Royal Horticultural Society.
Like many garden designers and gardening writers, I am lucky enough to be a part of the “scene”. I have friends who are involved in the artisan gardens and major show gardens. Others who are exhibiting their many tempting plants from Dahlias to tall trees or the must-have gardening tool. I get involved too, helping out on gardens and stands. But most recently with Plant Heritage and volunteering in their cloakroom for the public. Donations received here raise much needed funds to preserve our garden plants.
And of course I write about RHS Chelsea Flower Show to share with you, as not all of you are able to visit London in May. A “Plews View” picking out those ideas that might inspire you for your garden and sharing amusing moments. I’ve even written an eBook so you can enjoy five years at once! The annual flower show blog is written for the weekend towards the end of Chelsea, and is both a review and a reminder.
And then came 2020…
But this year is different isn’t it? This year we have Virtual Chelsea 2020. And because that is different, I thought I’d do something different too. So this comes to you before the digital version of the world’s most famous flower show, which starts this coming Monday, 18th May, for six days. Monday is RHS Members Day abd I’ve shared some of the highlights planned below.
There is a different sense of anticipation; for once the weather is irrelevant – or nearly so, as some of the live videos will take place outdoors. But for those of us watching, we can sit back to watch with a cup of tea and a piece of cake – or a jug of Pimm’s and a plateful of strawberries!
What’s on the Flowers Show agenda? The daily interactive Q&A sessions at lunchtime could be a good one to catch whilst you munch your sandwiches. RHS advisors will be there to answer your queries on your gardening problems.
Don’t know about you, but I love a sneaky peak behind the scenes, so I am looking forward to the tours from award winning nurseries. Glorious plants, piles of pots and probably a cute cat or dog stealing the limelight ?
As always there is the opportunity to cast our votes, as non- judges. We can join in the voting for the –
- RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade
- 2020 RHS Chelsea Product of the Year
- BBC / RHS People’s Choice Garden of the Decade
Decisions, decisions! It is always fascinating to discover whether judges and public agree on the Best Garden in each category – frequently there is a big difference. Which is an excellent reminder to garden designers out in the real world, that gardens are for living in not just looking at.
Virtual Chelsea 2020 – What’s Planned
Just a few of the delights in store for us,. There’s a different theme running through each day.
Monday 18 May – RHS Members Day
A potting bench demonstration with perennial plant specialist Rosy Hardy of Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants.
How to create a contemporary floral arrangement using seasonal flowers and foliage.
Tuesday 19 May – Perfect Plants
Meet the team at David Austin Roses who have been bringing their award-winning roses to the Chelsea Flower Show for the last 37 years.
A virtual visit to the naturalistic woodland garden of Sarah Eberle, the most decorated female designer in Chelsea history.
Wednesday 20 May – Health & Wellbeing
Celebrating the health and wellbeing benefits of plants whilst looking at the importance of plant health.
Thursday 21 May – Grow Your Own
An insiders’ look at the allotments of Chelsea Pensioners who have been diligently tending to plants and vegetables generously supplied by South West in Bloom.
Learn how to grow amazing vegetables at home with leading veg grower Medwyn Williams.
Friday 22 May – Wildlife & Environment
Find out how to create an organic, wildlife haven on a smaller scale with designer Tom Massey, who has been inspired by his design for The Yeo Valley Garden intended for this year’s show.
Saturday 23 May – Small Space Gardening
Find out how to propagate weird and wonderful indoor plants with Andy’s Air Plants and London-based interior planting duo RoCo.
And finish until next year…
Floral Delights and Previous Chelsea Years
Flowers are very much the stars at Chelsea. For all that some years the gardens may have been all porcelain paving and arches, there has always been the Floral Marquee, impressively known as the Grand Pavilion.
You could park 500 red London double-decker buses in there, that’s how big it is! Flower Arrangers and Florists Marquee get awards too, in their own, smaller, marquee.
Herewith a small selection of Chelsea over the last ten years
Virtual Chelsea 2020
Like you, I’ll be working most of the week, not glued to every petal of Chelsea. But if something catches my eye that I think you’d enjoy, I’ll pop it onto social media. So do check out our posts on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter during the week.
But do you feel a need for some more reminders of the world’s largest annual flower show before Monday? Why not treat yourself to the Plews eBook RHS Chelsea Flower Show – the Plews View 2012 – 2016 for less than the cost of a takeaway coffee?
Safe download from Plews
And then you’ll be in the best of moods to enjoy next week’s Virtual Chelsea 2020 extravaganza!
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
RHS Chelsea 2019, Plant Heritage, Children’s Gardens, Glorious Flowers
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 – A Vintage Year?
RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 – Plews View
National Garden Day 2020 – Ideas for Your Dream Garden
Gardening in a Lockdown
