RHS Chelsea commemorates Jubilee
With the 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show a matter of days away the excitement naturally builds. In this Jubilee year there will obviously be lots of displays to honour Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Royal Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
Her Majesty became Royal Patron of the RHS in 1952, on the death of her father George VI, carrying on the dynastic association with the RHS which had begun in Victorian times. She performed the role alongside HM Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, who was Patron for 65 years until her death in 2002. Her Majesty has since attended more than 50 times throughout her 70 year reign.
RHS Chelsea, sponsored by The Newt in Somerset, returning to its May dates for the first time since the pandemic, will feature several decorative floral and plant displays to reflect on The Queen’s long-standing support of the charity as well as her love of flowers and gardens.
Renowned florist Simon Lycett, who has created many floral arrangements for the Royal family, is designing a bespoke sculptural portrait of Her Majesty in the official Platinum Jubilee shade of purple. At the centre of the show’s Great Pavilion, the Monument will be surrounded by a photography exhibition depicting images of The Queen visiting the show throughout her reign. This installation by designer Dave Green includes an accessible deck walkway flowing around the images, set among a woodland inspired planting theme.
Floral designers Veevers Carter will give visitors an immersive experience to enjoy their own tribute. Natural Perspectives will feature a canopy of flowers including fresh Delphiniums, inspired by the colours and planting of the Scottish landscape near the Royal Family’s Balmoral Castle estate.
At the iconic Bullring Gate, an archway decorated with royal emblems has been created by Lucy Vail Floristry. Celebrating British flower growers and craftmanship, the colourful design will include three wicker crowns covered in sweetpeas and columns abundant with foxgloves, geraniums and irises. After the show, plants from the display will be returned to flower farms to be re-used and stems recycled for further events.
(Above) H.M. Queen Elizabeth smiles as she views flower displays in the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019.
Helena Pettit, Director of RHS Gardens and Shows explains that this year’s RHS Chelsea is going to be particularly special as the show returns to May and celebrates the historic anniversary for Her Majesty: “These imaginative floral tributes are a fitting and joyful representation of a truly unique monarch, and we hope visitors will enjoy seeing them at the show in the lead up to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations,” she said.
In 2021, The Queen’s Green Canopy, an initiative led by Prince Charles to plant trees throughout the UK in celebration of the Platinum Jubilee, was featured at the first ever RHS Chelsea held in autumn.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from 24 – 28 May 2022. For information visit: www.rhs.org.uk
Image credit: Picture of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II strictly © RHS credit Luke MacGregor
