RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021 Set to Go Ahead

For the first time since World War II, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was this year cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Whilst a series of virtual garden tours, floristry displays and digital events took place instead, next year will see the annual spring spectacle come back to life. 

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The Royal Horticultural Society has announced its plans for next year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which will make a long-awaited return to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Ensuring a safe experience for all, the 2021 show will run for an extended period of six days (18 – 23 May) in order to reduce the number of visitors on each day, whilst other Covid safety measures include socially distanced queuing, masks in indoor areas, and track and trace check-in, with further adjustments made to the show’s restaurant and eating areas.

RHS director general, Sue Biggs stated:

“We plan our Shows 18 months in advance and have been planning and researching how to open the 2021 RHS Chelsea safely and securely for our visitors, partners and exhibitors since April this year.  We have taken the time to get all our plans finalised and will now be consulting with exhibitors and supporting them further due to the changes we have had to make.”

In light of the good news, we’re looking back at some of the Chelsea Flower Show’s history and past highlights; a reminder of all the beauty that London possesses and that good things are yet to come.

The Chelsea Flower Show: A Look Back Over the Years

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RHS / Luke MacGregor

'The Living Herbarium' floral display by Gail Smith. Floristry. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019.

Judi Dench is presented with an elm tree sapling on the Hillier Nurseries exhibition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London Monday May 20, 2019.

An acapella group perform in the "D-Day Revisited Garden" designed by John Everiss Design, at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show during press day in London, May 20, 2019. Photograph by Suzanne Plunkett/RHS

Detail of the James Doran Webb Driftwood Sculptor tradestand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2019.

Waiters in red jackets line up to serve welcome champagne to visitors at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gala 2019.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth views the Peter Beales Roses exhibition at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 in London Monday, May 21, 2018..RHS / Luke MacGregor

Designer, John Sallis Chandler poses with his Marks and Spencer : Floral Market exhibition during members day at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 in London Tuesday, May 22, 2018..RHS / Luke MacGregor

Chef Jasmine Hemsley, wears Dolce & Gabbana's new Snap Pea dress as she poses in The Seedlip Garden, which features 40 different varieties of pea plants during press day at the the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018 in London, May 21, 2018. RHS/Suzanne Plunkett

LG Eco-City Garden. Designed by: Hay-Joung Hwang. Sponsored by: LG Electronics. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018..Stand no. 321

The Supershoes, Laced With Hope Garden, a partnership.with Frosts. Designed by: Laura Anstiss. Sponsored by: Frosts.Garden Centres. RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2018. Stand no. 561

Catherine known as Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge at the RHS Chelsea Flower show in London Monday May 22, 2017..RHS / Hannah McKay. RHS / HANNAH MCKAY

London Gate entrance to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2017 designed by Simon Lycett. RHS/Georgi Mabee

Queen Elizabeth II at the 1961 Chelsea Flower Show

Calceolaria 'Dobbies Perfection' at the 1948 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Visitors walking over a bridge in a Japanese garden at the 1936 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Preparing a model garden for the 1931 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show poster (1927). Designed by Charles Shepherd 'SHEP' of Baynard Press.

Queen Mary and King Georve V at the 1920 RHS Chelsea Flower Show

Queen Mary with group at the 1913 Chelsea Flower Show