RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2026 opens in London with sustainability gardens

The 2026 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, one of the world's premier horticultural events, is underway in London, showcasing elaborate floral designs and conceptual gardens at the Royal Hospital Chelsea grounds. The weeklong event began with a preview on Sunday, May 17, with the main show running from Tuesday, May 19, to Saturday, May 23.

The show features over a dozen major garden exhibits, with many focusing on sustainability and ecological themes. A significant attraction is the RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden, designed by Frances Tophill with input from King Charles III, David Beckham, and Alan Titchmarsh. The garden includes a central oak structure housing a museum of curiosities, seven raised beds subtly referencing Beckham's iconic number seven shirt, and a planting scheme featuring delphiniums, a favorite of the King, and the newly introduced Sir David Beckham rose.

Other notable gardens include Sarah Eberle's installation for The Campaign for the Protection of Rural England, featuring a large sculpture named Gaia crafted from a fallen sequoia. The Lady Garden Foundation's Silent No More Garden aims to raise awareness for gynecological cancers. The Eden Project...