The RHS Chelsea Flower Show, officially the Great Spring Show, is a garden show held each year on five days in May by the Royal Horticultural Society ("RHS") in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London. It is the most famous such show in the United Kingdom, perhaps the most famous gardening event in the world and part of London's summer social season.

Popular parts of the Chelsea Flower Show include the show gardens designed by leading names and the centre piece of the floral marquee

The Chelsea Flower Show receives a lot of publicity. It is attended by 157,000 visitors each year, a number limited by the capacity of the 11-acre (45,000 m2) ground, and all tickets must be purchased in advance. From 2005 the show was increased from four days to five, with the first two days only open to RHS members.  

The show is extensively covered on television by the BBC.  Several members of the British Royal Family attend a preview of the show, as part of the royal patronage of the RHS and many 'a' list celebrities can be spotted at the show during the week.

The area of land devoted to show gardens increased steadily between 1970 and 2000 and the show has become an important venue for watching trends. New plants are often launched at the show and the popularity of older varieties revived under the focus of the horticultural world. It is the garden design equivalent of a catwalk at a fashion show.

Awards

There are four grades of award presented, gold, silver-gilt, silver and bronze, in each of the categories listed below. Bronze grade exhibits do not actually receive a medal.

Awards categories

Flora - Gardens and floral exhibits

Hogg -  Exhibits of trees

Knightian - Exhibits of vegetables, including herbs

Lindley  - Exhibits of special educational or scientific interest

Grenfell -  Exhibits of pictures, photographs, floral arrangements and floristry

Special awards

Best Show Garden Award

Best Courtyard Garden Award

Best Chic Garden Award

Best City Garden Award

RHS Sundries Bowl

RHS Junior Display Trophy

RHS Floral Arrangement Trophies

RHS Floristry Trophies

Show Certificates of merit

Certificates for Junior displays

RHS President's Award

In 2010 the Chelsea Flower Show takes place from Tuesday 25^th – Saturday 29^th May.

Visiting Chelsea Flower Show

The first two days of the show are reserved for RHS Members only.  The other days are open to the public and tickets can be purchased from general ticket agents or packages including entrance tickets are available as follows:-

Thames Lunch Cruise and Chelsea Flower Show

Available Thursday 27^th and Friday 28^th May, £65 per person including a 3 Course Silver Service Lunch Cruise on the River Thames and afternoon entrance to the Flower Show.  The show is open until 8pm both Thursday and Friday.

Click for details: http://www.thamescruisesandevents.com/catalog/i119.html

Official Corporate Hospitality

Experience the social whirll and glamour of this spectacular event with fine cuisine and the speical atmostphere of the offical Hospitality Village.

Click for details: www.thamescruisesandevents.com/catalog/i38.html

To book packages or for further information please telephone 07900 352235 or email reservations@fastmail.co.uk