The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday this year with a floral archway and an exhibition of photographs of the Queen’s 51 visits to the show since 1949.
The archway is inspired by a painting in the Royal Collection of a similar arch decorated for Queen Victoria’s visit to Reigate in Surrey. It will be one of the first things the Queen sees when she arrives at the show the day before it opens on May 24.
Also featuring at the show will be an installation of 300,000 knitted poppies leading up to the Royal Chelsea Hospital, designed by Sir Christopher Wren: created by people all over the world, the display is a tribute to those who fought in World War Two.
Among highlights in the Great Pavilion will be a 60ft train carriage and a Mayan-inspired pyramid. Some of the UK’s top designers are creating 17 show gardens: they include herb guru Jekka McVicar’s Modern Apothecary Garden, two-times Best in Show winner Cleve West with a garden inspired by Exmoor, and the British Eccentrics Garden from Diarmuid Gavin which promises moving box balls and bay trees.
Tickets for the show are now on sale from www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea.