The RHS Virtual Chelsea 2021 site is officially open and in full swing. Virtual Chelsea 2020’s replaced the famous May Chelsea Flower Show last year due to Covid restrictions. It was such a success the RHS are doing it all again this year, 17 to 21 May. (PLUS the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 will be returning in full in September.)
What’s on at Virtual Chelsea 2021?
Each day sees a new range of features and videos appearing on the Virtual Chelsea site. Here’s a round up of the celebrity videos on show:
The Yeo Valley Organic Garden
Yeo Valley’s Sarah Mead discusses preparations for the Show Garden ahead of RHS Chelsea with designer Tom Massey. Enjoy a trip around the organic garden at Yeo Valley’s Somerset headquarters with Sarah Mead as guide.
Elements of this beautiful garden including silver birch and Mendip stone will be represented at Chelsea and some of the plants intended for the May garden will be included too. Read more about the garden design.
A Swiss Sanctuary
Lilly Gomm describes her experience of touring Switzerland to gain inspiration for the Swiss Sanctuary Garden. Inspired by a tour of the country, in which she discovered vineyards and palm trees as well as alpine meadows, lakes and mountains, the garden represents Switzerland’s astonishing plant diversity and the sustainable travel that makes touring a pleasure.
Large stones represent the mountains and provide a beautiful backdrop to the alpine flowers, while a body of water represents the lakes and waterfalls, and a bespoke bench incorporates the patterns of the rail tracks. Read more about the garden design.
In conversation: Nicki Chapman and Simon Lycett
Presenter and RHS Chelsea regular Nicki Chapman and floral expert Simon Lycett create a stunning display while reminiscing about their favourite moments at the world’s greatest flower show. BBC presenter and former Pop Idol judge Nicki joins Simon at RHS Garden Wisley to create a magnificent centrepiece out of sustainable, British flowers.
They reminisce about their favourite moments at RHS Chelsea including, meeting the Royal Family, comedian Peter Kay and share behind-the-scenes stories about the show.
Discovering my garden: Charlotte Gallagher
Enjoy this delightful urban garden which has room for wildlife, vegetables and even a pet tortoise. Join BBC news correspondent Charlotte Gallagher on a short walk around her green space including plenty of pots, inspired by RHS Chelsea, space to relax and even her own fruit and veg.
Wildlife is well catered for with plenty of pollen friendly plants as well as makeshift birdbaths. But the star of the show is Eric the tortoise.
Behind the scenes at Peter Beales Roses
Take a tour of multi-award winning Peter Beales Roses nursery, enjoy an insight into the preparations for RHS Chelsea and get tips on how to get the best out of your roses.
Ian Limmer joined Peter Beales at his rose nursery more than 40 years ago as a Saturday boy and, after his first trip to RHS Chelsea, has never looked back. Now Garden Manager, he has an enviable knowledge of roses and here enthusiastically shares that expertise.
Enjoy a tour of the garden, filmed on the day the first rose burst into flower, see what goes into preparing an exhibit for the world’s greatest Flower Show and enjoy a masterclass in preparing your own display at home.
Check out our day one highlights here.
And our day three highlights here.
And our day four highlights here.
We’ll be updating this story (and others) with more show highlights as they happen. Keep up to speed at Gardens Illustrated.com. And sign up for our Chelsea newsletter to stay abreast of all that’s new at Virtual Chelsea 2021, and the full show in September!