Chelsea in Bloom 2022: The Guide

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show isn’t the only thing going on in the west London neighbourhood this May. Running alongside it is Chelsea in Bloom, a free festival produced by Cadogan in association with the RHS, which sees the squares and streets of Chelsea transformed with eye-catching flower displays. Over 90 shops, restaurants, hotels and florists will be taking part from 23 – 28 May, competing for a win in the awards, which are judged by an expert panel.

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, this year’s theme is British Icons, with displays inspired by the characters, symbols and emblems that make up Great Britain. Large-scale installations will be on show throughout the borough – and you can hop in a rickshaw from Sloane Square to explore the show free of charge.

Highlights will include a 10ft floral Queen’s head on Sloane Square by florist Veevers Carter, a royal coat of arms on Sloane Street, and a Queen’s Guard in his sentry box on Pavilion Road by designers All For Love London. Here we share the installations not to miss.

Chelsea in Bloom 2022: The Highlights

NEO 87100

If you happen to walk down Walton Street, make sure to get a look at the window displays at NEO 87100. Designed by Skye Halsey, window-shoppers can get a glimpse of the natural world making itself at home. Meadow-like grass covers the floors, dotted with a rainbow of flowers that reach up to kiss NEO 87100’s colourful array of handbags. You can drop in for a glass of rosé throughout the week. neo87100.com

The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel

At last year’s Chelsea in Bloom, The Cadogan, A Belmond Hotel scooped up first prize – so no doubt its 2022 display will be a highlight. Florist Simon Lycett has created the installation using an abundance of British grown and sourced botanicals, with flowers, foliage and plants playing tribute to the Glorious Gardens of Britain. The display features a palette of red, white and blue, made of delphinium, scented garden roses, boughs of verdant greenery and clusters of cornflowers. belmond.com

Mother Vine

Take a stroll down Pavilion Road to see wine shop Mother Vine adorned with a whimsical installation inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland. On 24 May at 6pm, the store will also be hosting a wine tasting session, offering the chance to try a selection of Loire Valley wines, all served in their signature Jancis Robinson Collection. mothervine.co.uk

The Roof at The Sloane

Created by Chic Flower Designs, the display at The Sloane features a floral bust of The Queen, made of moss and covered with a blue hydrangeas hairdo. It’s flanked by a Union Jack bench, made from seasonal summer bedding plants, with a red post box embellished with the letters ER for Elizabeth Regina.

The Cadogan Arms

The recently revamped Cadogan Arms is marking this year’s Chelsea in Bloom with a tribute to the British pub. An installation of British plants and flower will see the King’s Road venue draped in hops, grapes and references to the botanicals of Bombay Sapphire Gin, with two lemon trees adorning its entrance. The doorway and windows, meanwhile, will be dressed with flowers in hues of pink, purple, cream and blue, with the word ‘pub’ crafted through large floral lettering. thecadoganarms.london

Rabbit

A Peter Rabbit-inspired floral façade is popping up at the Gladwin Brothers’ Chelsea outpost. The restaurant has partnered with King’s Road florist Maison Maioli on its display, which incorporates both wild and dried British flowers including miscanthus, craspedia, gypsophila and lagurus ovatus. In line with the restaurant’s eco-minded ethos, all foliage utilised in the design will either be dried or preserved and repurposed. rabbit-restaurant.com

The Ivy Chelsea Garden

With its flower-bedecked facade and glorious outdoor area, The Ivy Chelsea Garden fits in perfectly with the flower show aesthetic. It always pulls out all the stops for its themed installation, and this year is no different, with the restaurant’s façade set to be adorned with woodland creatures, embellished with oversized florals in blue, yellow and pink hues. Once inside, guests will be treated to specially created cocktails made in collaboration with Italicus and Lillet, such as the Garden Party: a blend of Lillet Blanc, Absolut Elyc Vodka, sugar syrup and lime juice. theivychelseagarden.com

For more information on the show visit chelseainbloom.co.uk

Images from previous years at Chelsea in Bloom

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