The RHS Chelsea Flower Show is one of the most anticipated events in the gardening calendar, drawing top designers and thousands of visitors each year. While visitors marvel at the stunning displays, exhibitors work tirelessly behind the scenes, employing clever tricks and enduring physical challenges to achieve perfection. Here, six Chelsea exhibitors share their secrets.
We Use Tweezers – Sarah Eberle
Multi-award-winning designer Sarah Eberle, with a record 19 RHS Chelsea gold medals, emphasises the meticulous attention to detail. "We use an artist to paint over any damage to rocks, trees, or plants," she says. "We have an army of helpers with scissors, tweezers, secateurs, and dusters who prepare plants as we install them." Eberle, designing The Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden 'On The Edge', recalls walking the equivalent of six-and-a-half marathons in nine days during a busy show. She also shares a funny memory: at RHS Hampton Court, a supermarket trolley appeared in her estuary garden on judging morning.
Show Plants Often Remain in Their Pots – Katerina Kantalis
Australian designer Katerina Kantalis, creating the Viking-sponsored balcony garden 'A Little Garden of Shared Knowledge', reveals that many show gardens keep plants in their pots hidden by soil. "You bring together multiple pots and mesh them to look like one mature plant," she explains. "Some people plant with pots in because of time constraints, covering them with soil and mulch. Planting directly into soil takes much longer."
We Hope for Rain – Lucy Hutchings
Lucy Hutchings, co-founder of She Grows Veg, says exhibitors in the Great Pavilion welcome rain. "When it rains, visitors rush into the pavilion, and suddenly we're surrounded by people eager to see our exhibits. So, we hope for rain." She also highlights the importance of hidden chairs. "Chairs are life. You can't have them on the stand, so we hide them backstage and take turns sitting down from 7am to 10pm."
Seeds Take Hours to Pack – Phil Johnson
Phil Johnson, managing director of English Sweet Peas, explains the painstaking preparation. "We have to pack hundreds of seed packets into little envelopes with labels. It takes hours," he says. Their display won gold on debut last year, and they are launching the Nigel Slater – Fruit Fool sweet pea this year.
It's Not as Competitive as It Seems – Max Parker-Smith
Garden designer Max Parker-Smith travelled to Australia for inspiration, exploring the Indian Pacific train line for his Journey Beyond The Tracks garden. He notes the supportive community at Chelsea. "When people struggle, we help each other. It's not nearly as competitive as you might think." After the show, his plants go to Kensington Gardens and hard landscaping to Longleat.
It's Like a Mini-City Before the Show – Alex Michaelis
Alex Michaelis, co-designer of The Eden Project: Bring Me Sunshine garden, describes the build-up as a bustling mini-city. "Build teams work through the night to perfect every detail. When something goes wrong, everyone pulls together. It would be great if actual cities worked like that."
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show runs from May 19-23.
