Not just Flowers and Pimms - Chelsea Flower Show Posted on 12 May 09:30

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, London every year since 1913, with the exception of gaps during the two world wars, and it is a gardener's (or garden-lover's) Paradise.

Tropical garden with waterfall at Chelsea Flower Show

Until last year I had never attended, and had a vague notion of it as an event with a lot of flowers, a lot of Pimms and a lot of people looking elegant.  Wonderful as that sounds, it was so much more spectacular than I imagined, and as the show returns in a couple of weeks (I'm not going this year, sadly), I thought I'd share my highlights from last years visit.  It was truly inspiring and I am sure some aspects of it will find their way into a design in the future, consciously or subconsciously.

Show Garden with small brick building at Chelsea Flower Show

Magical picnic area in Chelsea Flower Show garden

Lupins at Chelsea Flower Show

Show garden with irises at Chelsea Flower Show

Show Garden at Chelsea Flower Show

Show garden with statue at Chelsea Flower Show

Daliahs at Chesea Flower Show

Daliahs at Chelsea Flower Show

Tropical flowers at Chelsea Flower Show

Tropical plants at Chelsea Flower Show

There were so many amazing displays on show that I couldn't pick a favourite, but these beautiful lupins below remind me of woodland-based stories from my childhood so I'm particularly certain they will feature in a children's wallpaper one day, which will hopefully also be remembered fondly long into the future.

Lupins at Chelsea Flower Show