Virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2021: how to watch garden tours and tutorials online

Morgan Lawrence
·6 min read
Enjoy the the Chelsea atmosphere from the comfort of your own laptop - Geoff Pugh
Enjoy the the Chelsea atmosphere from the comfort of your own laptop - Geoff Pugh

Great news for the horticultural world. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has finally revealed some of the highlights planned for this year’s RHS Virtual Chelsea Flower Show, sponsored by M&G.

In January, the RHS postponed the Chelsea Flower Show until September for the first time in its 108-year-history, owing to the high infection rate of Covid-19 at the time. Concerns about which restriction tier London would be in at the time of the event were also a factor. But gardeners are able to get a floral fix this month.

The RHS 'Virtual' Chelsea Flower Show (taking place during the usual May show week) was enjoyed last year around the world, and the 2021 edition is to be no exception. Cyber-attendees can expect a stellar line up of videos featuring gardening demos, garden tours and creative inspiration (all free on the RHS website).

Sue Biggs, director of the RHS, said: "Following the postponement of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the huge success of last year’s online offering, we want to help galvanise the nation to continue to grow plants and keep the millions of new gardeners growing this spring by bringing new garden design, plant inspiration and horticultural knowledge into the homes of millions of people around the world once again."

When and where is the Virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2021?

The RHS ‘Virtual’ Chelsea Flower Show will run from Monday May 17 to Friday May 21. On Monday May 17, the online show will open for RHS Members only. For more information and an up-to-date timetable of events visit rhs.org.uk/virtualchelsea and follow #RHSChelsea on social media.

How to watch Virtual Chelsea Flower Show tutorials

Visitors can go to rhs.org.uk/shows-events/virtual-chelsea. Video content of tutorials and guides, once added at the end of each day, will remain on the RHS website all week for people to re-watch.

What to expect from the Virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2021

Alliums are a big hit at Chelsea - NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Alliums are a big hit at Chelsea - NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The stellar line-up of RHS Virtual Chelsea 2021 is back and better than ever. Join Jo Whiley, radio DJ and presenter, in her beautiful garden in Northamptonshire and DJ Trevor Nelson. Both will be catching up with award-winning RHS Chelsea designer Matthew Wilson, who designed his own garden in North London.

Foodies will love the virtual garden tour with Raymond Blanc. The celebrity chef will be revealing the fruit and vegetables he's growing in Jardin Blanc at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in autumn.

There will also be in-depth horticultural discussions by big gardening names. BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Arit Anderson will be joined by designer Marian Boswell for a chat about sustainable garden design, while BBC news correspondents Daniela Relph and Sangita Myska will offer viewers a glimpse into their own gardens.

Visitors can also watch celebrity florist Simon Lycett and presenter Nicki Chapman discussing their favourite RHS Chelsea memories whilst creating floral displays.

Some of the award-winning garden designers taking part in the RHS Chelsea autumn show including Charlotte Harris, Sarah Eberle, Robert Myers and Tom Massey, who will reveal the process behind preparing and adjusting their designs and planting plans for the September show.

Some growers who are unable to exhibit in September will be at 'Virtual Chelsea' offering brilliant tips and advice on how to grow flowers, vegetables and fruit.

Tom Massey is seen in the Show garden he designed for the Lemon Tree Trust, during build up week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018,  - Clara Molden
Tom Massey is seen in the Show garden he designed for the Lemon Tree Trust, during build up week at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018, - Clara Molden

Long-time Chelsea regular Peter Beales Roses will give a tour of their nursery and share expert tips on how to create beautiful rose-covered obelisks, while W.S Warmenhoven, a specialist grower of alliums and amaryllis, will share insider care tips. And you're in good hands: their alliums have appeared at the show since 1989.

For some specialist growers, the September show offers an opportunity to showcase different plant varieties. Matthew Smith from Brighter Blooms, for example, is a specialist grower of Zantedeschia (Calla Lily). He will now exhibit seasonal salad crops instead.

Lastly, members of the RHS team will revisit the garden at the Highgate Mental Health Centre, which is part of Camden and Islington NHS Foundation Trust, to find out how the lives of staff and patients have changed since receiving the RHS Feel Good Garden from RHS Chelsea in 2018.

The timetable for the Virtual Chelsea Flower Show 2021

To access the show, visit rhs.org.uk/virtualchelsea and follow #RHSChelsea on social media.

Monday – RHS Members Day

  • Designers taking part in the September RHS Chelsea Flower Show will host talks.

  • DJ Trevor Nelson catches up with RHS Chelsea designer Matthew Wilson, who designed his garden in North London.

  • Allium Specialist W.S Warmenhoven show how to care for alliums, a spring favourite and an iconic sight at the May event.

Tuesday (show opens to public)

  • Content from Monday will be available to the public, plus, on the opening day of RHS Garden Bridgewater in Salford, the RHS will take visitors on a tour of the garden.

Wednesday

  • Hear about the launch of an exciting new project for next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

  • Celebrity Florist Simon Lycett and presenter Nicki Chapman reminisce about their RHS Chelsea memories whilst creating some fabulous floral displays.

  • Lavender Green, RHS Chelsea Gala florist, will reveal how to create enchanting flower displays to create an atmosphere for entertaining guests.

Thursday

  • DJ and presenter Jo Whiley with host a talk in her beautiful garden in Northamptonshire with RHS Head of Judging James Alexander-Sinclair.

  • Meet the houseplant specialists designing the new Houseplant Studios at the September show.

  • Join Houseplant enthusiast Joe Bagley who lives with over 1,500 plants, for tips on how to care and propagate your own indoor plants.

Friday

  • Behind-the-scenes chats with the specialist nurseries who will be exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower show in autumn for the first time.

When and where is the IRL Chelsea Flower Show 2021?

From Tuesday September 21 to Sunday September 26, The RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. The society advises that attendees travel by public transport as there are limited parking spots, though guests should check government guidance closer to the event.

What Covid safety measures will be in place?

The RHS has introduced a number of safety measures to suit Covid-19 guidelines: there will be socially-distanced queueing systems at the entrance gates and at key points; extra parking and park and ride services; changes to layouts and expertise in crowd management to avoid overcrowding; enhanced cleaning regimes and waste disposal; hand sanitiser is available to staff and visitors at strategic points; cashless transactions are used where possible and track and trace check-in as per the guidance during show week. The show will also be extended for an extra day.

Please check the website for more information on Covid-19 safety measures.

How to buy tickets for the September show

Attendees are advised to book tickets for the autumn show as soon as possible to avoid disappointment. At the time of writing, there are a limited number of public tickets still available and the RHS expects them to sell out quickly. Public tickets start from £83.75. To check availability and to book tickets, see the website.