Written on 13 September 2021 by Courtney Manton in London
For many it is the world’s greatest flower show, marking the start of summer with cutting-edge gardens and glorious florals. But in 2021, garden lovers are getting ready to enjoy the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in September.
The May show was postponed this year for the first time in more than a century, as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, a virtual event happened instead. The live 2021 show will run for six days – Tuesday 21 to Sunday 26 September 2021 – in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea.
While things might look a bit different without the spring blooms, visitors will get the chance to enjoy gardens bursting with autumn colour. Expect seasonal displays packed with asters, dahlias and ornamental grasses as well as an abundance of fruit and vegetables.
After a tough couple of years, a likely theme is the positive impact of plants on our health and wellbeing. New competition categories will include Sanctuary Gardens, Balcony Gardens and Container Gardens – all reflecting recent times.
The RHS Chelsea’s show gardens, which demonstrate horticultural, landscaping and design excellence, tend to generate the biggest buzz. Ones to see this year include the Florence Nightingale Garden by Robert Myers, the Yeo Valley Organic Garden designed by Tom Massey, supported by Sarah Mead and travel firm, Trailfinders’ 50th Anniversary Garden designed by Jonathan Snow.
Chelsea’s Great Pavilion will be open, showcasing floral displays created by nurseries on the theme that ‘growing is good for you’. And with indoor greenery more popular than ever, houseplant studios are a new edition to the show, demonstrating that anyone can nurture plants, regardless of space.
Read more about the show in House Beautiful magazine. Tickets are available from the RHS website.
