Chelsea Flower Show 2008

During May the grounds of the Royal Hospital in Chelsea come alive with the sights and smells of the finest collections of flowers in the world. Nothing compares to the show gardens, each one created with attention to detail by some of the world’s leading garden designers. Their ideas will provide you with lasting memories and endless inspiration whatever your budget.
The smaller courtyard, chic and city gardens will inspire you with ideas that can fit into any sized plot.

The Great Pavilion will host thousands of fabulous flowers including new plants that have never been seen before.
And not forgetting the vast array of horticultural sundries, floral art demonstrations and the lifelong learning exhibits which all together make visiting Chelsea Flower Show a special occasion.
Visit the show and see the latest and greatest in gardening ideas and experience the wonder of the world’s most famous flower show.

The Queen attends the event and in 2002 Prince Charles exhibited. His garden was called the 'Healing Garden' and featured a tribute to his late grandmother. Also in attendance are celebrities and London society.
The Chelsea Flower Show is the gardening Mecca of Europe, where some of the greatest exponents of the art exhibit imaginative garden designs over an 11-acre site at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea. They create a wonderland for the public to explore, as the tranquil canvas of the hospital's lawns comes alive with a riot of colour and form.

Since its inception in 1913, the show has been at the forefront of horticultural development. In 2002, the entire event was housed in the dramatic new-look Great Marquees - higher, lighter, brighter and better ventilated than ever before.

Dozens of model gardens have always formed the prime attraction, reflecting the changing enthusiasms of designers, from the Japanese and topiary styles of the early days through to a major emphasis on rock gardens during the war years, to the paved backyards, cottage and wildflower gardens of the present day. The show continues a long tradition of pushing boundaries - the very first one exhibited a Japanese Bonsai long before they became a staple of Ikea.

in 2004 there were more than 40 show gardens (large and small), over 150 floral exhibits in two Floral Pavilions, as well as professional and amateur floral arrangements. Specialist societies and scientific bodies show off the latest in gardening trends and research.

On the first of the four days, the world's top horticulturalists award the creators of the best-executed gardens with the coveted RHS Gold Medal. New entry criteria from 2002 allows would-be garden designers to enter the show's Small Gardens competition (Courtyard, City and Chic Gardens), previously only open to colleges and RHS Affiliated Societies.

The show also offers many shopping opportunities, from conservatories, greenhouses, mowers and gardening equipment to furniture and statues. Finally, as ever, all flower arrangements will be on sale on the last day of the show. There are also plenty of restaurants and designated eating areas on site for when you need a break.

The quality of this splendid visual display is certainly a given, yet sadly, the British weather is not. The organisers therefore advise that all visitors come prepared with lightweight, waterproof macs or anoraks.

For further details, please visit the Royal Horticultural Society website. Early booking is strongly advised to avoid disappointment.

History

The show is held on the grounds of The Royal Hospital, which was founded in 1620 by King Charles II and designed by architect Sir Christopher Wren. Like the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden Ramble, which started as a rummage sale, the Chelsea Flower Show started small, first as just the RHS's spring show, and grew until crowds topping 247,000 in 1987 forced the RHS to restrict tickets.
Demand for tickets far exceeds the supply and all are sold in advance. The Chelsea Flower Show, first held in 1888 and held almost annually since 1913 (except during WW I and II), is the flower and garden show after which most others are modeled. 
At this year's Chelsea Flower Show, there were 23 show gardens, 135 display gardens under the two new marquees, 12 courtyard gardens, 19 specialist societies, 30 scientific and educational exhibits, and 265 booths of horticultural sundries. The gala preview held on the evening of May 22nd benefits various charities and the RHS itself.
At the heart of the show is an exhibition of plants by nurserymen and amateurs. Model gardens have always been one of the prime attractions of the show, and over the years have mirrored the changing enthusiasms of garden designers. 

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