The Chelsea Flower Show is synonymous now with outstanding
botanical expertise and is arguably the finest showcase of gardening
anywhere in the world. In terms of scope and popularity, the Chelsea
Flower Show of today is markedly different from its early years.
First opening as the Chelsea Flower Show proper, back in 1913, the exhibition had 244 exhibitors and ran for three days in May. The catering consisted of an afternoon tea only and the variety of gardens was limited. Today, the show attracts well over 150,000 visitors to its five day exhibition length. The media attention has never been so intense, with TV crews, reporters, interviews and social media outlets following the latest updates throughout the week. The catering has improved dramatically too, as have the range and breadth of the gardens on display. It is a truly global event now, with people from all over the world coming to witness or present the gardens.
So what have been some of the highlights or years of surprise and intrigue that make up this most prestigious flower show? The Show was once delayed by a week because of the great General Strike of 1926. This is one of the very rare occasions when the Chelsea Flower Show has been delayed, other than the war years.
The Great Marquee was built in 1951. This was seen as an eye catching replacement for the number smaller tents housing plants and other exhibitions. The Great Marquee itself was in the Guinness Book of Records as being the world's biggest tent at the time. This was finally brought down in 2000, to be replaced by the current occupant, the pavilion.
Surprisingly, it wasn't until 1976 when the Flower Show was actually licensed to trade and sell items to the public.
The Times newspaper becomes the very first to sponsor the Show.
In 1988, thousands of RHS members resigned over having to pay for their tickets for all but one of the days. This was also the year when admissions were restricted to 40,000 for each day in a bid to promote health and safety.
In the 1930's, to mark the King's coronation year, the garden was given an Empire Exhibition, featuring superb displays from all over the Commonwealth countries. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 also caused a national fervour for the Flower Show and many of the royal family visited on that year. They continue to visit to this day.
First opening as the Chelsea Flower Show proper, back in 1913, the exhibition had 244 exhibitors and ran for three days in May. The catering consisted of an afternoon tea only and the variety of gardens was limited. Today, the show attracts well over 150,000 visitors to its five day exhibition length. The media attention has never been so intense, with TV crews, reporters, interviews and social media outlets following the latest updates throughout the week. The catering has improved dramatically too, as have the range and breadth of the gardens on display. It is a truly global event now, with people from all over the world coming to witness or present the gardens.
So what have been some of the highlights or years of surprise and intrigue that make up this most prestigious flower show? The Show was once delayed by a week because of the great General Strike of 1926. This is one of the very rare occasions when the Chelsea Flower Show has been delayed, other than the war years.
The Great Marquee was built in 1951. This was seen as an eye catching replacement for the number smaller tents housing plants and other exhibitions. The Great Marquee itself was in the Guinness Book of Records as being the world's biggest tent at the time. This was finally brought down in 2000, to be replaced by the current occupant, the pavilion.
Surprisingly, it wasn't until 1976 when the Flower Show was actually licensed to trade and sell items to the public.
The Times newspaper becomes the very first to sponsor the Show.
In 1988, thousands of RHS members resigned over having to pay for their tickets for all but one of the days. This was also the year when admissions were restricted to 40,000 for each day in a bid to promote health and safety.
In the 1930's, to mark the King's coronation year, the garden was given an Empire Exhibition, featuring superb displays from all over the Commonwealth countries. Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953 also caused a national fervour for the Flower Show and many of the royal family visited on that year. They continue to visit to this day.
Treebox specialise in living walls http://www.treebox.co.uk/products/easiwall-green-wall.html and re-useable living hoarding http://www.treebox.co.uk/products/reusable-living-hoarding.html - We have shown our living walls at Chelsea Flower Show on numerous occasions.
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