The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) will honour its Royal Patron, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, with tributes at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show to commemorate her Platinum Jubilee.

Dame Judi Dench poses with Chelsea Pensioners at RHS Chelsea 2021 © RHS / Suzanne Plunkett

RHS Chelsea, which begins on Tuesday 24 May, returns to its May dates for the first time since the pandemic and will feature several decorative floral and plant displays to reflect The Queen’s long-standing support for the charity, as well as her love of flowers and gardens.

Her Majesty has been the Society’s Royal Patron since 1952 and was a regular visitor to the show with her parents as a child. Her first visit to the show as The Queen was in 1955, attending more than 50 times during her 70-year reign. The Royal Horticultural Society was founded in 1804 and is the UK’s largest gardening charity.

Renowned florist Simon Lycett, who has created many floral arrangements for the Royal Family, is designing a bespoke sculptural portrait of Her Majesty in the official Platinum Jubilee shade of purple. The silhouette will be covered on both sides with an assortment of native British-grown tree branches with connecting inner shelves arranged with 70 terracotta pots, hand-made in Warwickshire and planted with lily of the valley, one of The Queen’s favourite plants as it was featured in her Coronation bouquet.

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, at Chelsea 2021 © RHS / Luke MacGregor

At the centre of the show’s Great Pavilion, the Monument will be surrounded by a photography exhibition depicting images of The Queen visiting the show throughout her reign. The feature installation by designer Dave Green includes an accessible deck walkway that will flow around the images, set amongst a woodland inspired planting scheme. Creating a calm and serene environment for visitors to view the images amongst a colour palette of white, green, purple and blue plants to reflect the tones found in natural woodlands.
 
In celebration of The Queen’s passion for nature, an installation by floral designers Veevers Carter will give visitors an immersive experience to enjoy their own personal tribute. Natural Perspectives will feature a canopy of flowers including fresh delphiniums, inspired by the colours and planting of the Scottish landscape near the Royal Family’s Balmoral Castle estate.

The RAF Benevolent Fund Garden at RHS Chelsea 2022 designed by John Everiss © John Everiss

As visitors enter the iconic Bullring Gate, they’ll be greeted by an archway decorated with royal emblems reminiscent of a countryside meadow by Lucy Vail Floristry. Celebrating British flower growers and craftsmanship, the colourful design will include three wicker crowns covered in sweetpeas and columns abundant with foxgloves, geraniums, and irises.
 
Helena Pettit, Director of RHS Gardens and Shows said: “This year’s RHS Chelsea is going to be particularly special as we celebrate this historic anniversary for Her Majesty and as the show returns in May following the pandemic. These imaginative floral tributes are a fitting and joyful representation of a truly unique monarch, and we hope visitors will enjoy seeing them at the show in the lead up to the Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”

A Garden Sanctuary by Hamptons at Chelsea 2022 designed by Tony Woods © Tony Woods

The RHS’s vision is to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place via its inspirational gardens and shows, science research and advisory, extensive library collections and far-reaching education and community programmes. With over 600,000 members, the RHS also shares its horticultural knowledge and expertise with millions of people every year through its website and publications.

Janet Redler, Managing Director of Janet Redler Travel, said: ”This year’s Chelsea Flower Show is sure to be sensational, as it celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s astounding 70 year reign and as the first spring Chelsea since before the pandemic. We’re looking forward to seeing all the gorgeous gardens, show-stopping displays and fabulous flowers!”

RHS Chelsea Flower Show takes place at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London from Tuesday 24 to Saturday 28 May 2022 (RHS members only on 24 & 25 May.)

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor-made garden tour of England or the United Kingdom, perhaps including a visit to Chelsea Flower Show in 2023, please do contact our friendly team today.