The Chelsea Flower Show

The show is packed with displays, flowers and gardens are packed into every available space, some common and some rare, depending on the intentions of the gardener showing them. the flowers are displayed in small gardens, each of which has its own character. All the displays are under the auspices of the Royal Horticultural Society, a national body that works to promote gardening and plants.  It is not a governing body, but a large voluntary society which individuals and groups can join. I am a member, though I have no history of displays at Chelsea to my credit, and considering my health I am not likely to ever display at  its many events. I just  enjoy its displays when they are displayed on television.

The gardens on display are produced by individual garden designers. Individuals may display at the show, though developing a display garden is arduous and costs much money. Alan Titschmarsh, one of Britain's top gardeners did in his early years develop two  gold medal winning gardens, which cost him five hundred pounds each to build, but he says that developing a show garden nowadays costs thousands of pounds, but he is so well known for the brilliance of his gardening work that he does not need to make a name. Anyone who gets an invite from the previous monarch  to advise her on her gardens along with an invite to stay at the palace is doing well.

It is rare that you  simply apply for a place in the displays. Often you are invited to display a show garden. You can apply, but gardeners must pass tests to apply.  Medwyn Williams, whom I have met at the Tatton Show a few years ago,   has a host of gold medals for his vegetable displays, but he initially had to present a display at Hampton Court Flower Show, which serves as a test for Chelsea. He won three golds and has never looked back. Yet there is scope for promising individuals. Take the case of Mr Ishiharwa. At home in Japan he saw a television programme about Chelsea and decided that he was going to apply. He set out to make his case. Eventually  the show decided to give him  a chance, and he  has been presenting show gardens ever since. He is a   friendly and competent man and is  an asset to the show.

One show garden was composed of items that were old fashioned, such as an old style of beehive. This was the King's Foundation garden. The king's foundation exists to provide training for young people. There was a structure providing cover, a water source connected like all other displays to the water mains and a small pond.  Some of the water sources drew on London's hidden rivers, which had been covered over and canalized, such as the rivers Fleet, which ran beneath Fleet Street and the Walbrook, the site where Roman remains were once found. This garden was prominent on the first day of the show when it was visited by King Charles the Third, accompanied by the Princess Royal, Alan Titsmarsh and the footballer David Beckham, who went with the king as a friend.

But what struck me was the Parkinson's Garden, created by a garden designer whose sister is a sufferer from Parkinson's Disease and sponsored by the Parkinson's Society. As a sufferer from Parkinsonism I was moved by this offering. The design involved a wide pathway which made a sweeping descent from the garden's edge down to the pool at the centre. But what made this so original was the handrail, which utilised space by combining a water channel with the rail. Space utilisation is important in modern gardens . 

Some gardens involve mature trees. These are produced by a tree nursery and are transported by specially designed lorries. One show garden displayed a carved female figure of Gaia, which was carved from a dead trunk to produce a sleeping Gaia.

Other gardens are designed to grow tall, often on balconies. These meet the needs of expanding cities in which space is at a premium. Though do not see it the garden plants are not rooted in the ground. They are planted in soil-filled pots. These are filled to the top, laid in the ground in their appointed place and filled to appear that they are growing naturally in the ground. This technique has several benefits. Gardens planted in large pots are easily transferred. So garden sponsors can grow the plants that they want and then after the show dismantle the garden and move it to the site for which it is intended with a minimum of difficulty. Charities who  sponsor gardens find this very helpful, for the sponsors are not only getting a show for a week, but are obtaining a long-lasting attraction. So garden designers have a contract that extends to their  dismantling and transferring the design to its new home.

The pattern for growers across the country is the gold, silver gilt, silver and bronze, but there is the best in show award. Each class of event has its own best in show award, and in some cases this is given as the people's choice, for there is a ballot for some awards. Sometimes  this is a team award and at others an individual one. All members of a winning team equally gain the award.

Though I did not take part in the show I was especially delighted by two awards for best in  show. As a sufferer from Parkinson's disease I was delighted by the Parkinson's show garden, for, like many, I long for a cure for this disease. This garden will be dismantled and taken to Oxford, where it will have a place at a facility that works with Parkinson's. I was also delighted by the best in show award for the garden developed for the Trussel Trust   a charity which feeds the poor in the British Isles. Are you surprised that we still have hunger in some people. After years of government by the Conservative party poverty is still a problem. The present government is trying to mend society, but there  is more to do. I donate to the Trussell Trust. 

The number of gardens is beyond the capacity of a small article, but the information  is available online. Just type in the name the Chelsea Flower show 2026 and find awards. That is all you need.   

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