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Starring:
The best show gardens of 2012
Producer:
Royal Horticultural Society
Every year, for three days in May, the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, are transformed into the fabulous show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant horticultural displays that make up the world’s most famous flower show Theatre Break.
Each RHS Flower Show is a gardener’s delight brimming with fresh creative talent, high summer colour and a myriad of inspiring ideas to take home. With something to ignite everyone’s passion, group visitors won’t be disappointed by what promises to be the perfect way to spend a summers day!
The World's Best Loved Flower Show, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is the ultimate event in the gardening year. It sets the trends, features the newest and most desirable gardening products and creates an explosion of colours and scents.
Transforming the grounds of the Royal Hospital into the most exclusive and wondrous 11-acre plot in London the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a celebration of gardening, a feast for your imagination and bursting with inspiration for you to take home. This event brings together the cream of garden designers, nurseries and plantsmen to demonstrate the utmost excellence in horticulture and the very latest fashions, technology and new plant introductions.
At the heart of the show is the Great Pavilion showcasing displays from hundreds of leading nurseries and growers from around the world, with each displaying an outstanding selection of plants and flowers year on year. A stunning triumph of horticultural excellence, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is a unique and totally unmissable event. Here is the Evening Standard's Chelsea Flower Show Survival Guide...
Shoes: There is, quite simply, nothing more important than wearing the right footwear. Wear comfortable shoes and forget stilettoes - you might find yourself stuck in the mud during one of Chelsea's infamous downpours and Diarmuid Gavin is not going come and pull you out.
Be weather prepared: Carry a light raincoat but don't take an umbrella - some of those Gloucestershire matrons don't take kindly to being poked in the shin by a brolly.
Plan ahead: Buy your catalogue in advance - it can be ordered along with your tickets - and then use the map inside to plan your day.
Local knowledge: A little goes a long way. For instance, the loos in Western Avenue often have shorter queues.
Water: Carry a couple of bottles to avoid shelling out for some overpriced bottled stuff of dubious provenance.
Plant Societies' Stands: Don't forget to visit them - you can get specialist advice and find some interesting rarities.
Credit card: Take one if you cannot resist being the first to buy new varieties. On second thoughts, leave it behind.
Get there early: Doors open at 8am, and it is soon crowded. (We suggest you stay the night before in London so you are as fresh as a daisy for the day ahead.)
Tact: Try to avoid saying out loud things like, "My six-year-old could have done better." The person next to you is probably the designer.
Bun fight: If you are feeling strong, try the plant sale at the end of the show. It is signalled by a bell at 4pm and makes the Harrods sale look like a walk in the park. But check what you are buying is in good condition.
Where: Royal Hospital, Chelsea.
Nearest Tube: Sloane Square.
Entrances: Royal Hospital Road and Chelsea Embankment. Don't take the car - parking is very limited.
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