What's on in 2020

A new garden category, a Pavilion filled with colour and endless shopping opportunities – the world’s most famous flower show is back

Chelsea wouldn’t be Chelsea without its Show Gardens from some of the world’s best-known designers and a sprinkling from promising emerging talent. This year will be no different and there are big names preparing to bring gardening to life along Main Avenue.

The show will also feature some of the world’s leading growers, florists and nurserymen lining up to showcase their talents. Along with the stunning horticultural delights, there'll be shopping opportunities galore and the chance to indulge in some exquisite dining options. 

►See highlights from 2019

Cutting-edge design

Look out for a new Garden category, Urban Gardens, located along Royal Hospital Way. These will be a perfect reflection of urban landscapes from around the world and demonstrate how a modest space can be transformed into a captivating garden. They replace last year's Space to Grow category, which also focussed on how to make a smaller space look amazing.

Inside the Great Pavilion

The Great Pavilion is a hub of colour, scent and expertise with growers from all over the world showcasing their finest blooms. Taking a lead from our other shows, we are also bringing two other new features to Chelsea. The RHS Potting Bench next to Floristry in the Great Pavilion, is an enclosed, seated space where you can drop in to listen to and watch demonstrations from experts on all things floral. 

Flower power

Floristry at Chelsea is being given a huge make over in 2020 with a single, dedicated space. We are bringing together floristry talents from across the UK with a new RHS-run competition in the Great Pavilion. The space provides platforms for 3D installations of varying sizes and smaller display windows, which will all be judged. Arrangements will be entered in four categories to reflect the current themes of plant health and care for the environment:

• British Blooms, using flowers and foliage from the UK only
• Preservation, which will challenge florists to use dried plant material
• Pollination (plants to attract insects) 
• Beauty of Nature categories provide themes for the larger installations.

Milestone moments

Hillier Nurseries is exhibiting for its 75th year and hoping to win its 75th Gold medal. To recognise the milestone, the nursery is creating an exhibit in the heart of the Great Pavilion. Carnation and pinks grower Allwoods, is celebrating its 110th anniversary and the Federation of British Bonsai Societies is celebrating 60 years.

The Great Pavilion is also home to our Discovery Zone, a space dedicated to championing the exciting initiatives and research currently underway in the horticultural world.

A decade of Plant of the Year

We are celebrating a decade of the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year competition with a special display of the winners from the last 10 years. Many have become garden favourites and been sold in astounding numbers. Dibleys Nursery reports its top selling Cape primrose is still Streptocarpus ‘Harlequin Blue’ which won the competition in 2010. You can find this special display in the RHS Experience in the Great Pavilion and the public can vote for their favourite to be named RHS Chelsea Plant of the Decade.
The Chelsea Plant of the Year competition will run again and the 20 finalists will be displayed with the 2020 winner taking centre stage.

House Plant Studios

The trend for greening up your home with indoor plants is still going strong and we are reflecting this with our House Plant Studios. They will be dressed to promote the benefits of indoor plants and provide inspiration for your own indoor space. Designers and stylists have the freedom to dress their studio to replicate any room in the house, from a bathroom to a kitchen, to show that no matter how much natural light you have and regardless of size you can enjoy growing plants indoors all year round. These too will be judged by an RHS committee so the designers have everything to play for.

Talks Theatres

A more formal feature is the RHS Talks Theatre with space for seating around 100 people. Here you can hear single speakers, conversations and panel presentations spanning horticulture and gardening. Sited in the Main Avenue Studios (formally the home of the NAFAS Floral Arrangers competition), all the events here will be ticketed.

Indulge in fabulous food

Take a break from all the action of the show and treat yourself to some delicious food while planning the rest of your day. Bookable restaurants serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea will make your day that little bit extra special, especially if served with a glass of something bubbly. Details of our bookable restaurants will be released soon. 

For those seeking something more casual, we've an array of cafes and food courts that are perfect for a quick bite and feature gluten-free and vegetarian options. 

Enjoy endless shopping

Shop ‘til you drop at this year’s Chelsea, with an exciting range of tradestands featuring at the show. Whether you're looking for a unique garden sculpture, need a new pair of gardening gloves or want to indulge in a piece of jewellery, Chelsea has it all. 

A full list of the exhibitors joining us at the show will be revealed soon.

Tickets for 2020 are on sale now

See pictures from 2019