Gorgeous Chelsea Flower Show Moved to September

By Jill Brooke

For the first time in its 109 year history, the Chelsea Flower Show, truly the most incredible flower show in the world, will not bloom in May and be moved to September.

The Royal Horticultural Society in London just announced the event will take place September 21-26 vs. May 18-23.

Obviously, it’s for Covid precautions but it does mean that the gardeners and artists won’t have the lush colorful spring blooms – the pink pillowy peonies, purple alliums, the colorful fringed parrot tulips, the garden tea roses – to work with and will have to create using fall blooms such as dahlias, salvias and asters.

Last year the event was canceled and there was a virtual show I shared with you including tutorials with Larry Walshe and commentary from Queen Elizabeth. The previous year Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge created a special garden.   I have no doubt that the creativity of those involved will still produce something truly wonderful and beautiful to see.

Here are some of the gorgeous exhibits that were at 2019 which I loved sharing with you. Trends included more eco-friendly gardens and new varieties in alliums, peonies, and bee-friendly flora.

‘We believe many designers and nurseries will look forward to working with different plants that would not be available or at their best in May,”  says RHS director-general Sue Biggs.  ‘Never have so many people gardened as in recent times, nor needed the benefits of gardening more, so we will do our utmost to deliver a beautiful, uplifting and different RHS Chelsea.’

After all, necessity is the mother of invention and nature offers different delights each season.

You definitely want to buy tickets in advance at RHS because it sells out quickly. Furthermore, all around the show, stores decorate their windows with enchanting flower displays collectively creating a memorable bucket list experience.