Many amazing show gardens have been created at the Chelsea Flower Show over the decades. Today we look back at some of the highlights.
%image(15245956, type="article-full", alt="Sir John Mill's daughters Hayley (left) with Juliette launch a rose that is named after him,'Sir John Mill's ' at The Chelsea Flower Show in 2005. Picture: Michael Stephens/PA")
The show is regularly visited by thousands of people from Suffolk and Essex along with royals and celebrities.
%image(15245957, type="article-full", alt="Pupils at Capel St Mary Primary School were awarded a Royal Horticultural Society Silver-Gilt meda in 2011, for the fruits and vegetables they produced for the Chelsea Flower Show in May. Picture: SU ANDERSON/ARCHANT")
Sadly, this year’s event has not been able to go ahead because of the coronavirus pandemic, being cancelled along with so many other annual fixtures.
%image(15245959, type="article-full", alt="Otley college students Jane Bastow, Anne Raymond and Richard Carter in their cottage garden, Gold medal winner in 2002 Picture: JAMIE NIBLOCK/ARCHANT")
It’s the first time it has been cancelled since the Second World War - but BBC viewers have been able to see highlights of past shows each night this week on TV. And plans are already being made for the show to make a comeback in May 2021.
%image(15245960, type="article-full", alt="A beautifully dressed hat is modelled at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2002 Picture: JAMIE NIBLOCK/ARCHANT")
Each year, the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious awards go to a show garden, nurseries, plant growers, artists, designers and horticultural suppliers.
%image(15245962, type="article-full", alt="Carol Lammas of Garden Art and Design, Bury St Edmunds, at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2013 Picture: LYNNE MORTIMER/ARCHANT")
Our photo gallery features some of those from Suffolk and Essex who have achieved glory at past shows.
%image(15245964, type="article-full", alt="Students from Writtle College in Chelmsford preparing plants for their entry in the "Edible Gardens" Catagory at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2005 Picture: JAMES FLETCHER/ARCHANT")
The region’s success story has continued to blossom from year to year. Notcutts Garden Centres, a national chain based in Woodbridge, has won more than 50 gold medals at RHS Chelsea, and last year hosted a free garden advice and plant clinic at the show to pass on some of its staff’s expertise.
%image(15245966, type="article-full", alt="William Notcutt, managing director of Notcutts, with the gold award the company achieved at the 2003 Chelsea Flower Show. Picture: ARCHANT ARCHIVE")
Also in 2019, six plants from Suffolk-based plant specialist Thompson & Morgan made the shortlist of 20 in the running for plant of the year, with Agapanthus Fireworks going on to take third place.
%image(15245968, type="article-full", alt="Chelsea Flower Show 2014. Picture: ARCHANT")
This came on top of the company taking both first and third places for its plants in 2018, when its Hydrangea hybrid Runaway Bride - Snow White received the top spot.
%image(15245970, type="article-full", alt="Mike Clare from Potash Nursery, at Bacton Chelsea Flower Show 2014 Picture: GREGG BROWN")
But it’s not just the professionals and experts who have taken the honours at the show over the years.
%image(15245972, type="article-full", alt="Visitors attending the Royal Horticultural Society's annual Chelsea Flower Show. Picture: PA Photo/Michael Walter/Troika")
Children have also won prizes, such as the proud young gardeners from Capel St Mary Primary School who won an RHS Silver-Gilt medal in 2011, for the fruits and vegetables they produced for the show. The 11 classes contributed to the school’s kitchen garden.
%image(15245974, type="article-full", alt="Xa Tollemache giving Ringo Starr the lowdown the sculpture in the Merrill Lynch garden which caught his wife, Barbara Bach's eye in 2003 Picture: Victoria Hawkins")
What are your memories of the Chelsea Flower Show? Email judy.rimmer@archant.co.uk
%image(15245976, type="article-full", alt="The Chelsea Flower Show 2013 in full bloom Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN")
To order photos, visit www.eadt.co.uk/myphotos24, or call Diane Townsend on 01603 772449.
%image(15245977, type="article-full", alt="Suffolk actress Ruthie Henshall at the Chelsea Flower Show in 2001. Picture:. PA Photo/ Michael Stephens")
%image(15245976, type="article-full", alt="The Chelsea Flower Show 2013 in full bloom Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN")
%image(15245979, type="article-full", alt=". Roger Harvey from Thurston at the show in 2011 Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN")
%image(15245981, type="article-full", alt="The Queen and the Prince of Wales looking at a garden designed by the Prince in conjunction with designer Jinny Blom to honour the late Queen Mother in 2002. Picture: PA Photo/ Fiona Hanson")
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here