RHS Chelsea Flower Show

3 days ago
3 min read

Begonias and Foxglove display. — Begonias and Foxglove display

Instead of writing a lot about my time at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, I thought it best to summarize my experience and then share many of the photographs I took. I have edited people out of photos when it made sense to do so.

Flower show crowds. — People were everywhere at the show.

This was my first large scale flower show and I was not at all prepared for the crowds. We had two days to explore and enjoy the show and that was one of the smartest moves I made.

That first day, we had to drop the dogs off at a sitter in Swindon before taking the train into Paddington Station. Shoutout to Caroline, a former Welsh owner who now cares for other people’s dogs. She greeted the dogs with lots of love and took detailed typed notes on their care before allowing us to leave.

Crowds waiting at the Sloane Square Tube station. — Crowds waiting at the Sloane Square Tube stop.

By the time we made it to Chelsea, it was midafternoon and the place was packed. In addition to feeling completely overwhelmed by the masses of people, it was quite sunny and hot. I wasn’t wearing the right clothing for hot and sunny weather so I felt sweaty and a bit fussy.

Since we couldn't locate a map of the layout before arriving, I had no idea where to start. Hot, a bit sweaty, and feeling rather cranky, I marched around trying to see some of the container garden displays but never really enjoyed any of them.

That first day I just felt like I needed to photograph everything all at once. I couldn’t relax and enjoy myself because the entire time I was worried I would miss something. After we grabbed a Pimm’s Cup, the signature British summer drink, we headed into the pavilion where there was more space and no sun shining down on me.

Nothing says British summer than a Pimm's Cup. — Enjoying a refreshing Pimm's on a hot day.

The pavilion is where I began to enjoy myself. There were walls of Begonias, Daffodils, Foxgloves, and Ferns.

I saw orchids and succulents of all sizes and even a display of Bonsai that reminded me of our trip to Japan as well as visits to the Chicago Botanic Gardens as a child.

The Peonies were the highlight of my day. Their big full flowers are richly perfumed.

Roses are so difficult to grow and the way these were all mounded together made it seem as if they were no big deal in a garden.

We saw a number of large and extravagant flower arrangements. I wasn't sure what to make of them but thought they were worth showing you.

Flower arrangements are also judged. — An interesting flower arrangement.

Another free form arrangement I found beautiful — I found this to be quite beautiful.

Flower arrangment — Another creative use of natural fibers and plants.

Perhaps the best of all the arrangements I saw. — I thought this was the nicest of the arrangements I saw.

We spent about an hour wandering up and down the long, shaded walkway where the vendors were selling everything from special pruning shears to lovely flowered dresses. I stopped into a booth called Golliwogs and found a cool sundress to wear the following day.

A hat seller displaying his creation. — A vendor at the show.

It's not just the women who wear florals — Women aren't the only ones to wear florals at the show.

Friday we got up bright and early to meet our friends Claire and Neil at Sloane Place for breakfast. I brought the map and guidebook I purchased Thursday so that we could properly strategize our visit.