Whether you were looking for cutting-edge design ideas, practical growing tips, beautiful plants or simply a great day out, the RHS show season provided the very best of horticulture across four distinctive events.
RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 7 - 10 May 2026
The show season began with RHS Malvern Spring Festival, where the theme for 2026 was ‘Roots of the Future’, celebrating gardening’s heritage while looking ahead to the future. Visitors explored inspiring Show Gardens, Feature Gardens and Indoor Plant Gardens, alongside the new Blooming Borders category, designed to support emerging talent in horticulture and garden design. A new category for 2026 Floral Tablescaping saw colourful garden sheds transformed into exquisitely decorated dining rooms.
The Floral Marquee remained a highlight, packed with award-winning growers and specialist nurseries, while the Festival of Houseplants brought together unusual plants, expert advice and stylish displays for indoor gardening enthusiasts. Visitors also enjoyed talks from gardening personalities, hands-on family activities, floral art displays and a wide range of shopping opportunities.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 19 - 23 May 2026
The world’s most prestigious flower show once again took centre stage in London. RHS Chelsea Flower Show is renowned for its exceptional garden design, featuring Show Gardens, All About Plants Gardens, Balcony and Container Gardens that showcase creativity, innovation and the latest horticultural trends. 2026 was hailed a vintage year for showstoppers and was the year colourful gnomes were allowed to roam free once more. These cheerful chaps were decorated by celebrities and auctioned for the RHS Campaign for School Gardening.
Frances Tophill teamed up with Sir David Beckham and Alan Titchmarsh CBE, in collaboration with the King’s Foundation, to create an RHS Feature Garden centred around staying curious about the natural world around us. The King and The Queen paid their annual visit and had a tour of the garden, taking in all its curiosities.
Meanwhile in the Houseplant Studios we saw an eclectic mix of displays centred around love, music and plant endurance. RHS Chelsea Legend Sarah Eberle wowed the crowds and the judges with a giant wooden sculpture of Mother Nature, winning Best in Show and becoming the show’s most decorated designer, but it was Arit Anderson’s garden for Parkinson’s UK that won the People’s vote.
Beyond the gardens, visitors explored spectacular floristry installations, the famous Great Pavilion filled with the world’s leading growers and nurseries, and GreenSTEM, highlighting horticultural science and technological innovation. Hosta RED NINJA was named RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year and Sustainable Excellence Awards were presented to Weleda, Gaze Burvill and Seilich, celebrating outstanding new plants and environmentally responsible products. Fine dining, exclusive shopping and the popular RHS Chelsea Late evening completed the experience.
RHS Badminton Flower Show, 8 - 12 July 2026
Set within the glorious grounds of Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire, RHS Badminton Flower Show combined an impressive backdrop with a relaxed summer festival atmosphere. Visitors enjoyed a range of judged garden categories, including Show Gardens, Young Designer Gardens, Artisan Gardens and Pocket Planting Gardens, highlighting emerging and established talent alike.
Some of the most popular attractions included a special garden celebrating the 75th anniversary of The Archers, designed by Jo Thompson, the largest-ever RHS show garden, created by Tom Stuart-Smith, and fragrant Perfume Pavilions that filled with scent and colour. The Floral Marquee, houseplant displays, talks programme and RHS Advice hub provide plenty of opportunities to learn from experts. Food lovers enjoyed everything from street food and artisan produce to lakeside dining and live music, making RHS Badminton a standout summer day out, with the heatwave a timely reminder that we need to look after our green spaces.
RHS Sandringham Flower Show, 22 - 26 July 2026
The newest addition to the show calendar, RHS Sandringham Flower Show, was held by royal request at the Sandringham Estate, offering a blend of gardening inspiration, family fun and royal heritage. Award-winning Show Gardens sat alongside Feature Gardens – The RHS Royal Legacy Garden, The RHS Crafted from Nature Garden and The RHS Pollywiggle Garden – while the innovative Grow Forward Gardens explored how design can help address climate challenges.
The highlight of the show was a special visit from The King and The Queen, who arrived by horse and carriage to present some special awards. The King chose the Mindful Chef’s Gathering for The King’s The variety of living organisms (plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms) in a particular environment. Boosting the biodiversity of your garden has many benefits, including supporting wildlife, improving soil health and reducing the likelihood of pest and disease problems.
The Floral Marquee featured specialist growers and the 2026 Master Grower, Peter Beales Roses, while the Flower School put on an impressive display of floristry and demonstrations. Visitors enjoyed talks from experts and celebrities, discovered the science of soil at SoilFest and joined in with the Tree Listening Project. Families were well catered for with trails, competitions, activities and interactive experiences designed to inspire the next generation of gardeners.
Something for everyone
Each RHS Show has its own unique character but together they demonstrate the breadth and diversity of gardening, while providing memorable experiences for visitors of all ages. The RHS team is looking forward to sharing another season of inspirational RHS Shows with you in 2027.
