The Chelsea Flower Show kicked off with a star-studded preview, where celebrities and royals showcased their creatively decorated gnomes for charity. Queen guitarist Sir Brian May, comedian Bill Bailey, and presenter Dame Floella Benjamin were among those unveiling their cheery garden ornaments.
Charity Gnome Auction
The gnomes, painted by the stars, are being auctioned to support the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, helping children access gardening. Sir Brian May, who named his gnome "Billy Badass," expressed pride in his creation, which features a guitar. "I don't really want to let him go," he admitted, while questioning the show's historical ban on gnomes. "You've got to be very careful when you're dictating people's taste."
Bill Bailey noted that gnomes have been "much maligned" historically, referencing Roman traditions of gnomes as guardians. Comedian Tom Allen spent ages decorating his gnome, which wears a suit and tie but has no eyes, describing it as "a dozing thing." Alan Titchmarsh matched his gnome to his blue suit, emphasizing that the show takes gardening seriously but is ultimately about fun and wellbeing.
Show Gardens and Highlights
This year's event at the Royal Hospital Chelsea features show gardens with diverse elements, from a Barbara Hepworth sculpture to a large wooden carving of Mother Nature. The RHS and King's Foundation Curious Garden aims to inspire curiosity about gardening, while other gardens highlight urban fringes, art, and health themes.
The Parkinson's UK garden includes a wide accessible path and a "hand rill" combining water feature and handrail. The Killik and Co A Seed In Time garden celebrates traditional crafts and climate resilience, and a woodland-edge garden for Asthma and Lung UK serves as a restorative "breathing space."
Plant of the Year
The Hosta Red Ninja won the RHS Plant of the Year award for 2026, praised for its novel red and green foliage. The auction for celebrity gnomes runs until May 24, with Sir Brian's gnome already attracting a £650 bid.
Other celebrities spotted at the preview included Dame Joanna Lumley, Alexandra Burke, and Grayson Perry. The show opens to the public from Tuesday.
