Back in the swinging sixties, London was the global hub for flower power, the hippyesque philosophy that encouraged an entire generation to tune in and drop out. Today, the UK capital is better known for its global financial interests and inability to exit the EU anytime soon, yet its floral associations persist, both pre-dating the bohemian beatnik era and lingering to this very day in the unique shape, of course, of the one and only Chelsea Flower Show.
Now in its 157th year, the prestigious and ultra-competitive event is a not just a highlight of horticultural calendars the world over, but also the ultimate eye-spy session, offering observers the chance to spot a veritable who’s who of British high society, including the ultimate prize – Queen Elizabeth II herself.
With more than 170,000 visitors expected to turn up in person this year (and countless millions tuning in televisually), there couldn’t be a better time to catch up on some of the lesser-known facts about this five-day panoply of all things petalled…
A CHARITABLE ENDEAVOUR – Since the very beginning, the Chelsea Flower Show has been organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s largest gardening charity, which was itself founded in 1804 and now boasts more than half a million members. While you might be forgiven for assuming that this flamboyant flower fair is the biggest in the RHS’ repertoire, it is, in fact, outdone by the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. Aside from these premier league events, the organisation hosts several other floral festivals, with all proceeds distributed to worthy horticultural causes around the country.
THE GREAT SPRING SHOW – The Chelsea Flower Show actually debuted in 1862, albeit under a different name – the Great Spring Show. The whole of this inaugural outing was housed within a single tent at the long-since-demolished RHS garden in Kensington, with the same setting having been previously used for the Great Exhibition of 1851. It cost roughly £150,000 in today’s money to hold, while the resulting profits – roughly £4,000 today – were split between various budding good causes.
ROYAL PATRONAGE – Since day one, the Chelsea Flower Show has attracted the crème de la crème of British society. Queen Elizabeth II, a Patron of the RHS, has attended all but 12 shows during the course of her 67-year reign. Among the other sitting monarchs who have popped in to peruse a petal or two are King George VI (the Queen’s father), King George V (her grandfather) and Queen Alexandra (her greatgrandmother). Inevitably, one or two foreign potentates also managed to duck the wire and slip in, including Empress Marie, mother of the ill-fated Tsar Nicholas II of Russia.
CANCELLATIONS… – Through its century-and-a-half run, the show has occasionally skipped a year or two. In 1926, the show was very nearly cancelled – due to the General Strike – but ultimately opened its doors a week late. Several actual cancellations did occur though, most notably during WWI and WWII. During the latter, the show’s grounds were requisitioned by the War Office as an anti-aircraft facility.
… AND CONTROVERSIES – It’s fair to say the show has had its fair share of controversies. In 1927, for instance, a campaign advocating banning foreign exhibitors attracted considerable support. Ultimately, the RHS rejected such calls on the grounds that “horticulture knows nothing of nationality”. In 1994, horticulturist Paul Cooper also caused some consternation when hidden air jets in his display blew up the skirts of unsuspecting female passersby.
RECORD-BREAKER – For decades, the most iconic part of the show was the Grand Marquee, a single outdoor tent that housed the majority of the exhibits each year. First introduced in 1951, this enormous 3.5-acre structure was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest tent. When it was finally retired in 2000 – in favour of new indoor Great Pavilion – its then-surplus-to-requirements fabric was thoughtfully recycled into 7,000 aprons, jackets and bags.
GNOME NO-NO – Ceramic gnomes – those plucky garden-dwelling figurines that are believed to bring good luck – were wholly banned from the Chelsea Flower Show until 2013. That was the year when a special parade of 150 gnomes – all individually painted (and personalised by such famous UK figures as Sir Elton John, Mary Berry and Joanna Lumley) – were presented to Queen Elizabeth II. Unfortunately, the ban has since been reinstated, though many gardeners secretly confide that they still smuggle in a few of the little fellas regardless.
GARDENING WORLD CUP – While it’s all too easy to be distracted by the glitz and glamour of the Chelsea Flower Show, the many exhibitors are only too aware that is actually one of the most fiercelycontested horticultural competitions in the world and colloquially dubbed the ‘World Cup of Gardening’. Only after months of gruelling preparation, stiff competition and exacting judging standards can any participant hope to be crowned as the winner of the Best Show Garden accolade, making them – arguably – the King or Queen of All Things Green.
Text: Tenzing Thondup
Photos: RHS