It’s blooms on Zoom! Chelsea Flower Show will be a virtual event for the second year running due to Covid pandemic
- Covid means the Chelsea Flower Show will be virtual for the second year running
- Celebrities taking part include Trevor Nelson, Jo Whiley and chef Raymond Blanc
- Fans have to wait until September to see the delayed live event in west London
Celebrities are set to show off their gardens online – as the Chelsea Flower Show’s traditional May slot goes virtual for the second year running due to Covid.
Those appearing in the internet-only version this month include Radio Two stars Jo Whiley and Trevor Nelson – as well as chef Raymond Blanc.
But for the first time in the show’s 108-year history, green-fingered fans must wait until September to see the delayed live event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in west London.
The Queen is shown around ‘Back to Nature’ by the designer, The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show
May’s online taster will screen videos featuring tours of Miss Whiley’s Northamptonshire garden and Nelson’s north London plot.
Blanc will reveal what he is growing to serve at RHS Chelsea later this year.
The Royal Horticultural Society will also announce what visitors to the autumn event can expect.
May’s online-only focus of the Chelsea Flower Show will include tours of Trevor Nelson’s north London plot
‘RHS Virtual Chelsea’ will run from Monday until Friday next week. It is open to RHS members only on the Monday.
Growers who are unable to exhibit in September will be at the virtual show with tips and advice on growing plants this spring, the RHS added.
Radio DJ Jo Whiley is appearing in the internet-only event this month
RHS director-general Sue Biggs said: ‘Following the postponement of this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the huge success of last year’s online event, we want to help galvanise the nation to continue to grow plants and to keep the millions of new gardeners growing this spring by bringing new garden design, plant inspiration and horticultural knowledge into the homes of millions of people around the world once again.’
For more information and a timetable of events, people can visit rhs.org.uk/virtualchelsea
