by Geoff Wakeling

Created on: March 15, 2009

The Chelsea Flower Show: A History

Noted as the one of the world's largest flower spectacles, the Chelsea Flower Show attracts 157,000 visitors a year, all of whom have to buy tickets in advance. Its increasing popularity led to an additional day being added in 2005, with the first two days becoming reserved for Royal Horticultural Society members only. For many enthusiasts it has become a must for observing new trends, showcasing new plant species and creating spectacular displays for officials and public alike.

Originally named the Royal Horticultural Society Great Spring Show, the Chelsea Flower show has a long and vibrant history. The first Great Spring Show began in 1862, when Prince Albert revived the RHS and moved the festival to Kensington after a fall in visitors at the Chiswick gardens due to poor transport links. Here it remained until 1888, increasing in popularity and members, until it was thought best to move once again, this time towards the heart of London.

With two marquees from the old Kensington show, the 1888 exhibit in its new Temple Gardens setting proved another success, with many amateurs and commercial firms exhibiting stands, and by 1897 the marquees numbered five. Popularity and RHS members soared and soon some of the best known seed and plant specialists were showing their wares at the show.

It was in 1912 that the Temple Show was finally cancelled to provide space for a new show, the Royal International Horticultural Exhibition. Grounds were secured in the Royal Hospital at Chelsea for a one-off show, but it proved so successful that in 1913 the Great Spring Show was officially moved there, and The Chelsea Flower Show was born.

Throughout following years The Chelsea Flower Show showed surprising strength in the face of adversity. With World War I breaking out in 1914 thoughts of the exhibition could easily have been abandoned, however it continued to run until 1917 when the show was cancelled for two years. By the time the 20's arrived The Chelsea Flower Show was back in style, becoming a social setting for tea parties and Royal visits, and with the exception of being delayed for a week in 1926 due to the General Strike, it continued in strength until World War II broke out. In 1937, a notable date due to King George VI and Queen Elizabeth's Coronation Year, an Empire Exhibition was staged, taking on greater extravagance than ever before.

World War II hit the country hard and with depleted plant stocks, fuel for greenhouses at an all time low and inadequate staffing numbers, the resurrection of the show was in high debate. Resuming in 1947 the show however once again proved to be an outstanding success. Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation in 1953 proved inspiration for a show with tremendously joyful exhibits which were enhanced more by most of the Royal family attending. It was rather unfortunate however that the Queen, tied up by many royal affairs, was unable to attend.

In modern day The Chelsea Flower Show has become a regular and traditional spring occasion. Celebrated by horticulturists, RHS members and public alike it still draws members from the Royal family and has considerable television coverage. The land used for show gardens has continued to grow over the years and the popularity of the Great Spring Show shows little signs of diminishing.

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