RHS announces details for Virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2020

Details have been revealed of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which will be virtual this year, due to current social distancing Coronavirus measures.

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The flower show, which will run between 18 and 23 May 2020 – the same dates Chelsea Flower Show would have run in the Royal Hospital Grounds in London – and will be available for RHS members and non-members. The 18 May will be a preview day, specifically for RHS members only.

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Each morning there will be a tour from one of the world’s leading garden designers, florists or gardening personalities, of their own private gardens. Tips, trends and planting combinations will be shared with the virtual tour visitors.

A selection of UK growers from across the country will also allow virtual visitors an insight into how they grow their plants on behind-the-scenes tours. Certain nurseries will replicate the plant displays that were due to fill the Great Pavilion.

There will be daily potting bench demonstrations, where nursery experts will share their plant expertise, growing tips and advice on looking after plants.

Each lunchtime RHS advisors will be joined by a special guest for an interactive Q&A session.

Chelsea Plant of the Decade, Product of the Year and the BBC/RHS People’s Choice Garden of the Decade will all be voted for by virtual visitors.

Sue Biggs, the 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.”

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show was cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic. The RHS announced that it would be running a virtual version, while several of its other shows have also been cancelled or postponed.

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