The RHS Chelsea Flower Show Goes Virtual For 2020
Today (18th May 2020) marks the first day of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. An iconic annual event, the show usually brings together a vibrant, colourful line-up of world-leading garden designers, landscapers and plant experts all in one place.
This year however, due to the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent lockdown, things are a little different. For the first time ever the RHS Chelsea Flower show is going digital, with virtual attendees getting a dose of colour, inspiration and practical gardening advice straight to the comfort of their own homes. Read on to find out more about what’s on and how to watch.
Virtual Chelsea Itinerary
Monday 18th May
Today is Member’s Day for the Chelsea Flower Show, which means RHS members get a first look at what’s going on. Throughout the day there will be talks from designers, celebrities and personalities in the world of gardening. This includes an introduction by RHS president, Sir Nicholas Bacon and walk through Monty Don’s morning routine.
Members can also enjoy exclusive behind the scenes tours and get practical advice on planting, including how to plant the perfect peonies and other practical floristry inspiration.
Tuesday 19th May
On Tuesday, virtual attendees get to meet medal-winning designer Sarah Eberle. Sarah will be sharing some inspiration and design tips for creating a beautiful woodland garden – a popular trend that is very much in vogue right now!
There will also be tours, demonstrations and talks from big names including Charlotte Harris, Ian Dummond and David Austin Roses.
Wednesday 20th May
Wednesday’s itinerary doesn’t let up on the big names and cracking content. BBC presenter Adam Frost will be giving up a peak into his rural garden in Lincolnshire, while Nikki Tibbles and designer Ishihara Kazayuki share some colourful inspiration from their gardens.
There will also be a talk from Matt Keightley, who designed the 2018 Chelsea RHS Feel-Good Garden. He will be discussing how gardening supports health and wellbeing, particularly in these challenging times.
Thursday 21st May
On Thursday, we’ll get a peek into the Chelsea Pensioners’ allotment and see them flexing their green fingers as they tend to their plants and vegetables. There will also be a demonstration by celebrity florist Larry Walshe, who will be making an arrangement of flowers and foliage to make a chic table setting.
As well as all this, Pennard Plants will be hosting a Q&A session, and there will be help on growing your own vegetables with Medwyns.
Friday 22nd May
Friday of the Chelsea Flower Show will focus on the gardeners role in supporting wildlife and the environment. There will be information and advice from Tom Massey on how to encourage pollinators into your garden by creating a mini-meadow. And for the foodies out there, the experts from Newlands Nursery will be giving advice on how to grow chilli in your garden!
Saturday 23rd May
The final day of Virtual Chelsea will focus on smaller gardens and how you can make the most of them. Garden blogger Alice Vincent will be taking part in a Q&A session and there will also be a demonstration on propagation from RoCo throughout the course of the day, too!
Enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show From Home
While it is a great shame that the iconic Chelsea Flower Show won’t be able to go ahead in the normal way, we think it’s fantastic that the show has been adapted and made accessible for those keen gardeners who are staying at home at the moment.
To tune into all of the action listed above, catch Nicki Chapman on BBC One at 3:45pm and Monty Don and Joe Swift on BBC Two at 8pm. Be sure to follow the RHS on social media to stream the talks and stay up to date with news and information as it happens.
And if you find yourself inspired by the goings on of the Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, then please contact us. We offer garden maintenance and landscape design services in Abingdon and the surrounding areas and we want to help you make the most of your garden!