Bloomin' Marvellous (Chelsea Flower Show)

Member Name: Teena2003

Product:	Chelsea Flower Show
Date:	09/05/09 (122 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: annual delight for gardening aficionados, great gardens, flowers, exhibitions, Alan Titchmarsh

Disadvantages: prices, too many people, can trigger allergies, very exhausting, Alan Titchmarsh

The Chelsea Flower Show 2009 is upon us again later this month (19 - 23 May) and there will be a lot of it on TV and in the papers. It's an annual event that is worshipped by many as the ultimate in 'gardening shows'. I usually just sneer at it, shrug my shoulder and hope it will not interrupt my TV viewing too much.

The Chelsea Flower Show is an annual event taking place on the grounds of the Chelsea hospital and organised by the Royal Horticultural Society. You can become a member of the society and receive regular newsletters, magazines and enjoy discounted entrance ticket prices to all RHS exhibitions - the Chelsea Flower Show as well as Hampton Court Palace in London and other sites around the county. However, the Chelsea Flower Show is still the most famous and covered of all the flower shows in the country.

With a week's worth of BBC coverage from the show, you might think you know what is happening but nothing beats actually being there and walking around for a few hours and enjoying the gardens, flowers and all other exhibitors.


=== Personal Interest and Experience ===

After living in this country for more than 19 years and taking a rather half hearted interest in the annual Chelsea Flower Show (I live in a flat - modern apartment - with no garden and just two flower pots on the kitchen window sill) last year was very different to all the others.

I started working for a company exhibiting at Chelsea every year, I have developed a minor interest in trees, flowers, plants and gardens in general (must be my age) and couldn't wait to find out more about the show and hopefully go and see what all the fuss is about.

While office and admin staff do not get supplied with complimentary tickets, a colleague and I happened to be invited to mingle with some invited guests at a gallery before being bussed to Chelsea to have a nosey.

The 2008 Chelsea Flower Show took place from Tuesday 20 May to Saturday 24th May with the Tuesday being Press day and of course the day the queen visits the show - before everyone else has a chance to see the show. Even if the show was still on, chances of a ticket would have been almost nil with the show sold out before opening day.

I was also lucky to score another free exhibitor pass for the last day and spent a lovely day (it was one of the hottest as well) down at Chealsea Hospital.

The show opens on a Tuesday, also known as Royal Chelsea as members of the Royal family will be at the show grounds. The public is not admitted until later in the week, the first two days are primarily for members of the RHS.


To enjoy the Chelsea Flower Show you should have a passing interest in gardening and flowers, otherwise it will be rather dull and boring.

Every year there is the big competition regarding the best show gardens. Different companies have gardens designed and after paying a lot of money, are allowed to put their name to it.

Last year there were gardens by the Telegraph newspaper, BUPA, Savills and so many more. A special garden was created in memory of George Harrison with a lot of psychedelic colours and in parts a tranquil oasis. Celebrities were queuing up to be interviewed in the George Harrison garden, I managed to walk past it twice before I noticed what it was.

The RHS award plaques to the best gardens, a little like Crufts but for gardens. There will be 'best in show' for some of the big showcase gardens, small courtyard gardens, and even flower arrangements are awarded prizes.


If you are interested in garden design you can pick up a lot of ideas in the show gardens, if you like your plants and flowers you have a whole tent to look at and even buy seeds to grow at home. You can pick up a lot of info materials from different stands although some charge for them. I came home with tons of free flower and vegetable samples (useless if you live in a flat without garden and only window ledges)


=== Saturday Showdown ===

The day at Chelsea finishes earlier on Saturdays - after all, everyone wants to clear out and go home and have at least one day left of the weekend.

From 3 in the afternoon onwards the flowers and small plants are being sold off to the public and you can get some plants really cheap. However, you might have to take your new mini palm tree on a London bus to get it home as you have to take your purchases with you at the end of the day.

It's actually quite funny watching top decks on busses full of green plants with people hidden behind them. I personally, despite wanting a little flesh eating plant or bonsai, couldn't be bothered in the end as I would have had to carry the plants home on the underground and that was not something I wanted to do.


=== Eating and drinking - you can't live on trees and flowers alone ===

There is a dedicated catering area towards the back of the exhibition grounds where you can buy all sorts of fast food, sandwiches and drinks. There are more official restaurants in the centre of the gardens and plenty of soft drink carts dotted around. Be prepared to pay (quite) more inside the grounds so if you can, bring your own drinks and food and use the picnic areas to have your lunch.


=== Getting There ===

It is best to use public transport to get to the show. You can take the underground trains to Sloane Square (District & Circle Line) and take a 10 minute walk. There are stewards showing you the way but you could just follow the other people.

Alternatively, there are busses going close to the site


=== Prices ===

Nobody can say that the Chelsea Flower show is cheap. If you are a member you can get discounted tickets. Non members can order online all day tickets at around £43.00 for the whole day or do with just a session, morning, afternoon or evening (£24.00 or £18.00). The tickets sell out rather quickly and you have to fight to get one. There are no tickets at the door, everything is advanced booking only.


=== Opening times ===

Tuesday - Friday
8am - 8pm

Saturday
8am - 5.30pm

Royal Hospital,
Chelsea,
London


If you are interested, you can follow the show live online via the BBC website. They also have a daily show from the site with interviews and features on some of the exhibitors.

It is certainly worth a visit but if you can, try and get there earlier in the week rather than later as by Saturday, a lot of the flower displays look a little worse for wear and you can't see it in full glory. Also, stay well clear if you have or think you may have allergies to pollen, plants, trees or anything garden related as you will have an attack. I don't suffer allergies but even I had the sneezes due to all the flowers and trees around me, particularly the London Plane trees that grow all over the site.

All the sample seeds for flowers and veggies I gave away to friends who have gardens and told them I would be there to collect at harvest time.

©Tempus_Fugit/Teena2003

Summary: Annual high points in gardeners calendar