Garden gnomes should make a permanent return to the Chelsea flower show, say celebrities who have painted the mythical creatures for the king’s garden at this year’s event. The 'tacky' statues have been frowned upon since 1927 at the high-end event, which kicks off on Tuesday in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, south-west London.
Speaking at the show’s press day, the comedian and musician Bill Bailey and the gardener and author Alan Titchmarsh urged the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to lift the gnome ban permanently. This year, the show has made a one-off decision to ease the prohibition to raise funds for the RHS’s campaign for school gardening, an initiative to get children involved in horticulture. The gnomes will be auctioned off during the week.
Bailey, brandishing the lawn ornament he painted with an attractive purple and gold stripy hat, said: 'The origins of gnomes, as you well know, is the Latin gnomus, meaning earth dweller. The Romans had them as guardians of the garden, and to protect against malign spirits. So I think they have been much maligned.' Titchmarsh, who painted his gnome in a neat blue suit, agreed: 'I think it’s no harm to have little ones sneaking out now and again to remind us that you might as well have a bit of fun.'
King Charles is said to have been keen for the gnome ban to be lifted so some could be displayed in a feature garden he co-designed with Titchmarsh. The monarch is a fan of the fairytale characters and has one in the grounds of his Gloucestershire estate. David Beckham, who co-designed the garden with the king and Titchmarsh, also painted a gnome for auction, choosing pink and glitter to decorate it. Other celebrities who have painted gnomes for auction include Dame Mary Berry, Sir Brian May and the peer Floella Benjamin.
Titchmarsh also weighed in on garden rewilding, having been convinced by the king to change his views. He said of nettles: 'They’re wildflowers! I love nettles, they’re good for butterflies. No, we need them in the garden, we want to attract wildlife.' He added that he would like to ban noisy machinery such as leaf blowers from gardens, particularly on a Sunday, stating: 'I haven’t used a power tool on a Sunday for years, not through any religious aspect, but just because I think people should have one day a week of peace and quiet.'
