RHS Chelsea 2020 Goes Virtual

In its 107-year history, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has only ever been cancelled once before and that was during the Second World War. Sadly, for the thousands who visit the iconic event or watch it on television, the 2020 Show has had to be cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However, all is not lost for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has taken to digital media, in what will be a first for them when they bring the world-famous show virtually via the RHS Website: www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/virtual-chelsea

An exciting line-up of world-leading designers, plant experts and practical gardening advice will be available from the comfort of your own home. Well-known garden designers, florists and gardening personalities will share new videos and inspirational articles with favourite planting combinations, design tips and interactive lunchtime Q&A sessions.

There will be behind-the-scenes tours from award-winning nurseries and you will still be able to vote for your favourite plants, products and gardens. Activities for families are also included as well as a daily School Gardening Club. New videos will be launched daily.

(above: The Welcome to Yorkshire Garden 2019 RHS Chelsea – Gold,

designed by Mark Gregory)

Celebrating Virtual Chelsea, the RHS and BBC1’s The One Show, have joined forces to launch a competition asking viewers to share images of their green spaces, be it a balcony, window sill, front or back garden.

Virtual Chelsea runs from the 18-23rd May – on Monday 18th May RHS Members will be able to access special content. From Sunday 17th May the BBC will celebrate the show with favourite presenters including Sophie Raworth, Joe Swift, Nicki Chapman and Monty Don. Their special Chelsea on air coverage will include clips from the past 10 years of Chelsea shows.

Virtual RHS Chelsea will champion innovation in garden products and plants and the RHS Chelsea Product of the Year winner will be announced from a short list of products awash with sustainable solutions as gardeners increasingly demand products with greener credentials.

In celebration of its tenth anniversary this year, of the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year, the virtual flower show will instead host a People’s Choice vote for the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade.


Each morning the Show will start with a tour from one of the world’s leading garden designers, florists or gardening personalities of their own private gardens as they share their top design tips and planting combinations.

Sue Biggs, RHS Director General said: “We’re lucky to live in a digital age where we’re able to bring aspects of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show online so we can continue to share the world’s best in horticulture and bring garden design inspiration, breath-taking displays and horticultural knowledge for the nation to enjoy during this difficult time.

 I’m also delighted that despite such challenging circumstances the BBC are producing a special series of programmes celebrating the World’s Greatest Flower Show which will air throughout ‘Virtual’ Show week on BBC One and Two.


“We really hope the virtual show will help fill the gap caused by the sad but necessary cancellation of this year’s show and will inspire more people to get growing.”

The ‘’Virtual’ RHS Chelsea will run from Monday 18th – 23rd May. Visit the link above for information and follow #RHSChelsea on social media for more information.

Photo credits: All images ©Reckless Gardener