For just the second time in the 113-year history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Royal Horticultural Society has lifted its ban on gnomes. In fact, it is encouraging celebrities to decorate their own gnomes so they can become a part of this year's show.
The decision is for a good cause, as the colourful gnomes will be auctioned off to raise money for the RHS's flagship Campaign for School Gardening, which brings gardening into schools and youth groups to support children's wellbeing, skills and environmental awareness.
You might also like:
- First details of the gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show 2026
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show to be sponsored by Range Rover in 2026
- This top garden designer is returning to Chelsea after 9 years
- Ten essentials for visiting Chelsea Flower Show
- The history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
The decorated gnomes will be on display in The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, designed by Frances Tophill, alongside The King’s Foundation Ambassador, Sir David Beckham and RHS and The King’s Foundation Ambassador, Alan Titchmarsh CBE. This vibrant addition reflects the garden's aim of encouraging visitors to be curious and have fun while gardening, and celebrates HM The King's gardens at Highgrove, where a gnome can often be seen in the Stumpery.
The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden will also highlight the positive impact gardening and plants can have on both the planet and our health.
"We’ve never needed the joy of gardening, the power of plants for our planet or the peace of simply sitting in a garden, more," says the RHS's director general, Clare Matterson.
“That’s why we’ve joined forces with The King’s Foundation to encourage the nation to get curious about gardening, be that as a horticultural career, a hobby, a way to fight the climate crisis, to support wildlife or simply enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of our labours flourish and grow.
“We also want people to be playful with their gardening, which is why we’re lifting the gnome ban for these celebrity gnomes, who will then, by being auctioned off, help us do even more to awaken a curiosity in gardening in school children and support our national Campaign for School Gardening.
"Gardening in schools increases resilience, builds confidence, encourages curiosity and gives access to nature – it’s a vital resource that every school should have access to.”
The RHS's gnome ban has only ever been lifted once before; to raise funds and mark the 100th anniversary of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2013. Celebrities including Sir Elton John, Dame Mary Berry, Lilly Allen and Joanna Lumley all painted their own gnomes at the show.
This year, Dame Mary Berry will return to paint her second gnome for RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and she will be joined by Cate Blanchett, Sir Brian May and Baroness Floella Benjamin, with more famous faces to be announced in May.
