RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 Press Day Highlights
This is my third trip to The RHS Chelsea Flower Show and certainly my favourite so far. Whilst lasts years gardens focused on a freer more wild meadow style of gardening, this show felt like it had an abundance of colour and spectacular flowers on display with serene water features appearing throughout.
I am no gardening expert - in fact I think one of the reasons last years more ‘wilder’ style didn’t resonate so much is that I’m so used to looking at my own (unintentionally) wild garden - however RHS Chelsea is such a fun day in itself as there is so much to see from beautifully displayed stands to music, food and my favourite past-time of all, people-watching.
On regular opening days, the event gets very busy, so do ensure you get there as early as possible. We visited on Press Day, so we arrived at 7am, keen to get photos of the gardens whilst they’re empty before the VIPs arrive.
The Netflix Bridgerton Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2024 is the first show garden you’ll see on entering the show. Based on the character of Penelope Featherington, the garden has two sections either side of the wall reflecting her changing personality. One that is calm and quiet, and the other that is colourful, dramatic and confident. The wall displays the Bridgerton family’s signature wisteria, although this time it’s real of course! Word on the street is that Netflix got their schedule mixed up so many of the Bridgerton stars were scheduled elsewhere for press day but will (apparently) be appearing on Friday 24th.
We were very lucky however to have the gorgeous Adjoa Andoh in attendance who radiated joy, elegance and beauty whenever I saw her. Here she is in the Bridgerton garden.
Adjoa Andoh ‘Lady Danbury’ in the Netflix ‘Bridgerton’ Garden at Chelsea Flower Show 2024.
There was a lot of emphasis on climate change this year and, in particular, the increasing rainfall that gardens will have to withstand in the future. The flood resilient garden was designed with heavy rain water and surface flooding in mind, embracing water as a feature and finding ways to reuse it.
The garden by 2023 Gold Winner, Kazuyuki Ishihara, was truly stunning as always, however, as a larger version of his winning garden from last year it didn’t feel much different. I do love how it stands out amongst the other gardens though, with an emphasis on the calm and serene, it features moss in almost sculptural qualities with acers and irises adding warmth to the muted colour scheme.
The beautiful ‘Money doesn’t grow on trees’ garden from Kilick & Co, ‘reflects the challenges of navigating personal finances across generations, and the power of expert guidance’ which is a bold and important claim for sure, however the title felt a little uncomfortable to me when being surrounded at Chelsea Flower Show by so much extreme opulence and wealth seemingly rather disconnected from the realities of the real world outside its gates.
I literally overheard someone say to another - ‘oh I don’t own an estate’ as if that was the general assumption for attendees. No judgement from me and if the super rich want to spend their money on plants that can only be a good thing - but let’s be clear when in this environment, it certainly feels like for some people, maybe money does actually grow on trees!
Of course the gardens are all absolutely stunning and the glorious celebration of nature everywhere is incredible, however, you know my first love is always interiors, so the way in which designers bring the outdoors in, or the indoors out, will always speak to my soul.
The delightful shepherd hut by Hannam and Taylor has been styled beautifully as a home office using a lovely contrast of Little Greene ‘Ambleside’ on the walls and Farrow and Ball ‘Green Smoke’ on the window frames and ceiling, matched perfectly with warm rust linen curtains and brass accents.
This treehouse by The Treehouse People at Blue Forest was something else. From the innovative use of outdoor fabrics to the bridge that got you from the kitchen to the living room, it really was bigger than a lot of peoples homes and the craftsmanship and attention to detail were second to none. Does it cost more than my actual house? Probably yes. Do I want one in my garden? Absolutely!!
Undoubtedly one of the biggest highlights of Press Day is spotting all the celebrities enjoying the gardens. Many are out on a lovely day trip with their parents or partners, or just there in a professional capacity. From Judi Dench to Mary Berry (both show regulars) to Amanda Holden, Joel Lycett, Jason Manford, David Mitchell, Paul Hollywood and Adjoa Andoh, there were so many to be seen enjoying the show yesterday - all in the most fabulous outfits of course.
In fact my most asked question on social media when sharing my day was, ‘where is Mary Berry’s dress from?’, so the fact she has topped so many of the ‘Best Dressed Lists’ is of no surprise. She looked incredible!
Chelsea in Bloom
As everyone flocks to Chelsea for the flower show, for many years, the shops in the surrounding area have pulled out all the stops to create the best floral displays and this year was no exception. Head to the Kings Road and walk up and down the high street marvelling at the creativity and innovation on display. It’s best to go early or late in the day to avoid the crowds!
