RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 – RECAP

Thank you for joining us today for updates on the first day of the Chelsea Flower Show but our coverage ends here.

But there is plenty of content available on the MailOnline website.

Members of the public were not the only visitors at the RHS Royal Chelsea Garden Show today.

Here are some of the best photographs of the show’s non-human guests…

Muscular dystrophy patient Carmela appeared in high spirits as she explored the outdoor accessible spaces at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show today.

Along with her family, she actively raises awareness for muscle-wasting conditions.

Carmela suffers from LMNA-CMD – a genetic condition that causes weak muscle tone and muscle wasting.

Charity Muscular Dystrophy UK is highlighting the importance of accessible outdoor space for its community via its garden at the show.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show proved to be emotional for Dame Judi Dench yesterday.

Judi was so pleased to receive a Sycamore Gap tree seedling from seven-year-old Charlotte Crowe of Henshaw CE Primary School in Northumberland that she became emotional and welled up.

Our reporter Colin Fernandez has the story:

It was a joyous moment for Chelsea Pensioner Arthur Currie today when he admired the new Chelsea Pensioner Rose by Harkness Roses during the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Chelsea Pensioners are residents at Royal Hospital Chelsea, an soldiers’ retirement home and nursing home for former members of the British Army.

Pure Grenada has a history of winning gold at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the streak continued this year as the team claimed its 17th gold medal.

This year’s garden – The Golden Falls of Grenada – celebrated the country’s 50th year of independence.

Actress Emily Atack – best known for her role as Charlotte Hinchcliffe in the E4 comedy series The Inbetweeners – took to Instagram to congratulate her brother on his Chelsea Flower Show success.

Her brother, George Atack, helped to plant the award-winning children’s garden with Harry Holding Studio – The RHS No Adults Allowed Garden.

Royal fans will know Queen Camilla’s rescue dogs – Beth and Bluebell.

Today, members of the public can admire the Queen’s adopted pooches in willow sculpture form, as the creations, designed by weaver Emma Stothard, made their debut at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Our reporter Lydia Hawken has the story:

Today, excited visitors explored the Stroke Association’s first garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, dubbed the Garden for Recovery.

The green space was launched yesterday by two special guests. Freddie, who suffered a stroke at the age of five, and fellow stroke survivor and garden designer Miria Harris.

The garden aims to support as many stroke survivors as possible in aiding recovery.

Chelsea Flower Show has started with rainfall, resulting in soaked spectators clutching onto their brollies.

But the weather didn’t dampen spirits as revellers kept queuing to observe the garden designs.

Here are some photographs of the drenched visitors…

The Princess of Wales attended the show’s first children’s picnic alongside pupils from 10 schools participating in the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) campaign for school gardening. Kate helped design a garden in 2019 to encourage the public to reconnect with nature.

Three Just Stop Oil activists were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage after they released orange powder paint in the show gardens. A visitor hosed the trio down with water after they targeted a garden, designed by Paul Hervey-Brookes.

Fake plastic grass was banned from the Chelsea Flower Show and other RHS events because of its damaging effect on the environment. RHS chiefs said the artificial turf contributed to excess greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.

TV chef Ainsley Harriott’s sister fell into a water feature at the show. Members of the public helped pull Jacqueline Harriott to safety after she accidentally fell at the BBC Studios Our Green Planet and RHS Bee Garden.

The winners of RHS Chelsea Flower Show have been revealed. From a garden designed by children to one encouraging thoughtfulness and inner discovery, there’s something for everyone.

Our reporter Eleanor Dye has the story:

Visitors appeared impressed while observing the winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Best in Show award.

The Japanese-inspired garden scooped first-time competitor – Ula Maria – the impressive prize.

Images have surfaced of the striking flowers and plants on display at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Here are some of the best…

Alan Titchmarsh hit out at ‘fads and fancies’ at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The celebrity gardener commented on the controversial gardening movement – ‘rewilded’ gardens – that attempts to allow nature to care for itself.

He branded rewilding a ‘step backwards’ and claimed the assumption that gardeners should reduce the number of ‘exotic’ species to be ‘erroneous’.

Our reporter Colin Fernandez has the story:

The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs applauded the Animal and Plant Health Agency team for its ‘fantastic achievement’ of winning a gold medal at the Chelsea Flower Show.

‘This impressive exhibit raises awareness of the threat of Asian hornets to our pollinators and encourages people to report any sightings,’ Steve said.

The exhibit, Asian Hornet – Stay Alert – Take Action – Protect Our Pollinators – won the ‘Best Discovery Exhibit Award’.

It was a day filled with sunshine and seeing ‘friends old and new’ for Baroness Floella Benjamin at the Chelsea Flower Show.

Today, Floella took to X to share a collection of images from her visit yesterday.

After viewing the No Adults Allowed Garden, the 74-year-old also praised the ‘wonderful emphasis’ on children at this year’s show.

Best Show Garden

• Muscular Dystrophy UK Forest Bathing Garden, designed by Ula Maria

Best Construction Award (Show Graden)

• Terrence Higgins Trust Bridge to 2030 Garden, built by Yoreland Design Ltd

Best Sanctuary Garden

• Burma Skincare Initiative Spirit of Partnership Garden, designed by Helen Olney

Best Balcony and Container Garden

• The Ecotherapy Garden, designed by Tom Bannister

Best All About Plants Graden

• The Size of Wales Garden (pictured), designed by Dan Bristow

In an unfortunate turn of events compared to yesterday’s sunny spell, the entrance to the Royal Hospital Grounds in Chelsea has witnessed a sea of umbrellas pop up as show-goers take shelter from the showers.

Traditionalists might want to turn a blind eye to the Chelsea Flower Show’s new ‘rad’ installation.

In a move that’s hoping to encourage young children into the world of horticulture, a granite skate ramp has worked its way into an installation.

Our reporter Colin Fernandez has the story:

Award-winning garden designer Ula Maria has smiled for cameras in the Forest Bathing Garden at today’s show.

Inspired by Ancient Japanese traditions, the garden aims to provide a spot for solitude and introspection.

The immersive garden was created as a retreat for patients with muscular dystrophy – a genetic condition that causes the muscles to weaken.

Chelsea Flower Show is in full swing, and crowds have gathered around the horticultural exhibits to snap photographs of their favourite elements.

Here are some of the best images of visitors capturing the show on their cameras…

The weather can make or break one’s experience of any day out. Here’s how the weather is expected to pan out this week…

• Tuesday – Thunderstorms warning from noon, highs of 16 degrees
• Wednesday – Cloudy with rain expected in the afternoon, highs of 18 degrees
• Thursday – Cloudy with light showers, highs of 18 degrees
• Friday – Cloudy with sunny intervals, highs of 19 degrees
• Saturday – Sunny, highs of 22 degrees

Source – Met Office

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) took to X to express their joy in welcoming their new Patron, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla yesterday.

They added that the RHS No Adults Allowed Garden, designed by children from Sulivan Primary School and Harry Holding, was a highlight for the monarch.

King Charles and Queen Camilla continued tradition as they graced the annual display of Britain’s gardening prowess yesterday.

From the late Queen Elizabeth II, who was previously patron of the Royal Horticultural Society, to the Prince and Princess of Wales, visits from members of the royal family are almost as much a fixture as the plants.

Our reporter Emily Cooper has the story:

The Royal Hospital Chelsea is brimming with individuals as they arrive for a day packed with striking floral displays and innovative garden designs.

In a change from yesterday’s warm temperatures, showgoers have turned up in jackets due to London’s breezy conditions.

The UK’s capital is brimming with bright flowers today, thanks to Chelsea in Bloom – London’s largest free-to-attend festival of flowers, which coincides with the Chelsea Flower Show.

Those heading to King’s Road or Sloane Square can enjoy the striking exhibits, including a Winnie the Pooh display.

The Royal Family’s X account shared a behind-the-scenes montage of Charles and Camilla’s visit to the show yesterday.

The Royal Horticultural Society staged its first Great Spring Show in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital for the first time on May 20, 1913, as a three-day show that featured more than 200 exhibitors, with some returning more than a century later.

Back then there was a massive single tent covering two acres which enclosed exhibition tables and large flowers, plants,and shrubs with 17 gardens in the open.

Owing to its huge popularity and financial success, the decision was made to make the hospital its permanent home.

In 1927, the show expanded to four days with one reserved for RHS members before a fifth was added in 2005 to allow two days for members, traditionally the first two.

Around 160,000 visitors are attracted each year including the Royal Family who traditionally attend the opening day. The first Chelsea show in 1913 was opened by Queen Alexandra, wife of King Edward VII.

The Children’s Choice Award debuted at the Chelsea Flower Show this year, where a special panel of junior judges selected their favourite garden.

And wearing the crown for the first time is Ann Marie Powell – the garden designer behind Octavia Hill Graden, made with Blue Diamond and the National Trust.

The English actor took to X to gush over a re-imagining of a Pompeian courtyard garden by the Newt in Somerset and even shared a selfie with the ‘visionary owner’ – Karen Roos.

Nadia Sawalha demanded answers from the Chelsea Flower Show organisers after she failed to make the invite list.

The television personality took to Instagram to explain how she visited one year but never got invited back again, despite her being on her best behaviour.

She joked: ‘Seriously, why am I not on the list?’ Before concluding in the caption: ‘If any “real” celebrities were there and have heard anything on the grapevine I would be most appreciative.’

Note: This video contains strong language

As we await developments from the show’s opening morning, let’s look back at last night’s VIP event…

Stars arrived at the show dressed to the nines, and many made a nod to show with their outfits.

Dame Judi Dench put on a chic display in a floral blazer, Amanda Holden opted for a bright pink leafy maxi dress with a cropped blazer, and Charlotte Hawkins donned a striking multi-coloured dress with flower designs.

The Chelsea Flower Show honoured the hit Netflix series Bridgerton with its very own garden designed by Holly Johnston.

And now it’s been revealed that the green space will move to Cambridge University Hospitals after the show, allowing patients and staff to enjoy the lichens, mosses, and ferns.

The secluded space appeared to be a personal favourite of Queen Camilla yesterday, who revealed she’s seen the first season of the famously racy show.

Stars of the show, including Lady Danbury (played by Adjoa Andoh) and Francesca Bridgerton (played by Hannah Dodd) also enjoyed the garden yesterday.

King Charles was the special guest of honour last night at the Chelsea Flower Show – alongside Queen Camilla – ahead of today’s opening.

Here are some of the best photographs of the monarch exploring the show…

Horticulturist Monty Don caused a stir with gardening fans after he arrived at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in a creased navy shirt blazer.

The wrinkled outfit led fans to brand the landscaper a ‘bus conductor’ and a ‘gift shop steward’.

Monty’s look was quite the opposite compared to his co-star Jo Swift’s – who looked dapper in a matching grey suit and crisp white shirt.

Our reporter Gina Kalsi has the story:

The BBC has 13 shows scheduled across BBC One and BBC Two as part of its coverage for the Chelsea Flower Show.

The first show aired on Sunday was RHS: Countdown to Chelsea, which promises an exclusive first look at some of the show gardens featuring this year.

During the event, the BBC is planning to run two daily broadcasts with a 45-minute show on BBC One from 3.45pm before an hour-long feature on BBC Two at 8pm.

On Friday, an additional recording on BBC One is scheduled for 7.30pm where the winner of the BBC RHS People’s Choice Award will be declared.

The BBC’s presenting line-up includes Gardeners’ World stars Monty Don and Joe Swift, newsreader Sophie Raworth and presenters Nicki Chapman and Angellica Bell.

This year’s Chelsea Flower Show will open in 15 minutes with the first visitors expected to pack into Royal Hospital Chelsea.

We will endeavour to bring you all the latest news, pictures, analysis and reaction in our live coverage from the event throughout the day.

Here’s a quick run down of the opening times this week:

• Tuesday – RHS Members’ Day 8am – 8pm
• Wednesday – RHS Members’ Day 8am – 8pm
• Thursday – 8am to 8pm
• Friday 8am – 8pm
• Friday Chelsea Late event 5.30pm – 10pm
• Saturday (sell off of displays begins at 4pm) – 8am to 5.30pm

Actress Daisy Edgar-Jones brought the A-list glamour to the Chelsea Flower Show on Monday during the VIP and press preview day.

The Normal People star looked elegant in a white maxi dress, which featured ruched detailing and was teamed with a pair of snakeskin heels.

While stars including Joan Collins, with her husband Percy Gibson, and Amanda Holden were among the celebrity arrivals at the annual show who soaked up the scenery.

Our reporters Charlotte Dean and Amelia Wynne have the story:

King Charles couldn’t hide his amusement yesterday as he was given a new title following an appearance at the Chelsea Flower Show – the ‘King of the Compost’.

The monarch was given a badge in honour of his environmental work by schoolchildren, while his wife was handed one which read ‘Queen of the Bees’.

Rebecca English and Bridie Pearson-Jones has the story:

Welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the Chelsea Flower Show which opens this morning in London with the show lasting five days before it ends on Saturday.

Britain’s most prestigious flower show organised by the Royal Horticultural Society in the grounds of Royal Hospital Chelsea sees horticulturalists compete for awards over garden designs and floral displays.

The event attracts visitors from across the world including high-profile celebrities and the Royal Family with King Charles himself stopping by yesterday.

We will bring you the latest updates from throughout the day plus the best pictures and reaction.