After just returning home from a trip to England that included the world’s greatest floral experience – Chelsea – I wanted to pass on my favorites and highlights. Many consider attending to be an experience of a lifetime, and I totally agree, and even though I have been there four times, it never gets old. There is such an insane amount of plants, and everything related to gardening packed into a relatively small area, it is hard to take it all in, no matter how many times I go there.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in the middle of London since 1913. Held outdoors near the Thames river, the weather cooperated with a perfect spring-like sunny day. I have been there in a grey drizzle and excessive heat, so was grateful for the awesome weather.
A little overwhelmed at first, I thought this year’s event really stood out with its range of exhibits and floral displays. Before entering, I made a game plan. First of all, it is important to get there early before its 8AM opening. I left my hotel at 7AM in nearby Kensington (only about a mile away) and was dropped off near one of the two gates and entered around 7:45 AM and the ticket takers let me in! I call the first hour and a half the golden hour as I can race around and see things and most important take photos without the oppressive crowds and I made the most of it with this unexpected head start.
Chelsea in Bloom
The surrounding area of more than 130 shops and businesses showcase the most stunning floral displays called Chelsea in Bloom which is worth a several hour visit on its own. I hired a rickshaw which is simply a bicycle attached to a two seater cart and my driver took me where I wanted to go in traffic.
The theme was “Flowers in Fashion”, which celebrated Chelsea’s history as a fashion hub. The entire neighborhood was transformed into a runway inspired by fashion icons. This area becomes just as crowded as the show itself.
Highlights of the Show
The Great Pavilion
A massive tent called the Great Pavilion is the centerpiece of all the floral and plant exhibits and amazingly covers over 3 acres of space! At the heart of the Flower Show, I made my way here first, as I knew it can get crowded quickly. Also offering shopping opportunities, I regretted that I couldn’t take anything home on the plane with me. I noticed more vibrant colors were used than the previous years’ more muted tones.
One of my favorite moments at the Flower Show is the first time I enter the Great Pavilion and take it all in. The sights, the scents, and the drama, is intoxicating. There is a bit of something for everyone to enjoy, from the exotics from far around the world to the whimsical and beautiful tiny alpines nestled in stone troughs. She Grows Veg caught my eye with their heritage vegetable varieties and a rainbow of crops ready to be picked.
Here is an overall view of the massive Great Pavilion.
Plant of the Year
The 2025 Plant of the year, Philadelphus Petite Perfume Pink (Mock Orange) , was highlighted. I wasn’t surprised by this as there has been a lot of hybridizing activity on this pretty common old fashioned plant. A break through in breeding has brought forth the first pink flowering form of the this popular spring-flowering shrub. A compact dwarf variety with amazing perfume and prolific flowering, I will be seeking this out in the states. Tucked away in an exhibit, I smelled it and it is amazing! Hosta Silly String and Salvia Tropicolour Sunrise took joint second place.
Cosmos
Cosmos is one of my top annuals that I plant here in the US and in England they are just as well loved. Jonathan Sheppard, holder of the Cosmos National Plant Collection, had a mouth watering display of some new varieties of cosmos. One, from Thompson and Morgan, called Fondant Fancy, was a jaw dropping beauty. Only the second time that he has exhibited, the display highlighted Sheppard’s commitment to sustainable growing practices with all plants grown peat and pesticide free.
GreenSTEM
Spotlighting horticultural science at the show were the GreenSTEM displays which emphasizes the latest horticultural innovations. Representing horticulture intersecting with science, technology, and the environment, the display that caught my eye was Blooming Numbers, by Sainsbury Laboratory in Cambridge. They emphasized that flowers are more than just beautiful – their color, shapes, and patterns have evolved specifically to ensure pollination and to distribute seed. Mathematics, specifically, the Fibonacci spiral, at the heart of the exhibit, leads visitors through a journey of the flower. And there are powerful microscopes to peer at the structures of a plant.
Living Willow Sculptures
I was intrigued by the Big Ben living willow sculpture and got to meet the artist, Heinrich Braun, who has just come out with a book that shows off his fantastic sculptures out of willow whips. The whips actually fuse together to make his unique sculptures.
David Austin Roses
David Austin Roses always has a show stopping exhibit in the main pavilion and I arrived before the crowds to get a good look. The debut of the King’s Rose that took 12 years to breed was the centerpiece of their “Secret Garden” themed exhibit. King Charles III and Queen Camilla visited the David Austin exhibit to see it. This year was the 29th Gold Medal win at the show.
Clematis
The other show stopping exhibit is the Raymond Evison Clematis display showcasing new and award-winning clematis varieties. Featuring an imaginary Guernsey seashore scene with 2,500 clematis in full bloom, there are boats that carry clematis and other symbols of the Guernsey landscape. Awarded their 35th gold medal, I always look forward to this awesome exhibit and love how the clematis is trained as a ground cover.
Floristry Exhibits
One of the highlights for me as a floral designer are the florist exhibits. This years theme was “texture” and there are two categories of floral exhibits – smaller Floral Creations and larger Creative Spaces.
The winning Floral Creation was Botanical Bliss, a hand tied exhibit by Elizabeth Newcombe.
Outdoor Show Gardens
The Japanese Tea Garden
https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-chelsea-flower-show/gardens/2025/cha-no-niwa
The Gold Medal winner, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) Garden of the Year, and the People’s Choice Best Show Garden was awarded to Cha No Niwa, the Japanese Tea Garden designed by Kazuyuki Ishihara. Communication and harmony was the theme carried out by its distinctive use of stones and how they interacted with the plants. Influenced by the traditional flower arranging art of ikebana, the plantings includes trees commonly seen in the landscapes of the Japanese countryside of Acer palmatum, Enkianthus perulatus, Iris, Sedum Hornbeam, and Pachysandra.
Monty Don’s Dog Friendly Garden
Celebrating the UK’s reputation as a nation of dog lovers and garden enthusiasts, Monty Don’s first RHS Chelsea garden (yes, I am amazed!) celebrates man’s best friend. Monty Don’s dogs often feature on the program and you can see all the dog friendly touches, like a bit of lawn that features daisies, dandelions, and clover that were thoughtfully transplanted from the RHS Garden Wisley, to create a hardy drought tolerant lawn space. A lawn made for rolling and playing and perhaps throwing a frisbee. Famous royal dogs along with BBC radio presenters pets had their name inscribed on the garden path. I noticed that sturdy plant were used throughout the space to withstand the onslaught of large happy dogs.
Every garden created at the Flower Show lives on and is transplanted to an appropriate curated spot to be enjoyed later. I was glad to hear that this one would be transplanted to Battersea for all the rescue dogs and the people who work there to enjoy.  Read here on tips on creating a dog-friendly garden.
Wonderful presentation, especially for those of us unable to venture there with you. Appreciate your early morning foray to catch the beauty & prize winners before the crowds and the very notable floral developments. Here’s to you & to the English for their love of horticulture!
Hear, Hear. I think I am going to move there!