Blooms of Tradition: A Day at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show
A quintessentially British affair where nature, innovation, and heritage blend in perfect harmony
- Mike
There’s something almost magical about the moment you step through the gates of the Royal Hospital Chelsea during those special May days. The air carries a delicate perfume of thousands of blooms. Conversations buzz with excitement, and everywhere you look, nature has been coaxed into its most spectacular form. This year’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Flower Show, held from 20th to 24th May 2025, was no exception. A celebration of horticultural excellence that continues to captivate visitors after more than a century. Immersive Cultures spent a glorious sunny at the event to bring you an glimpse of this spectacular floral fiesta.
A Tapestry of Garden Innovation
This year’s show featured 37 gardens in total, each telling its own unique story through plants, design, and purpose. Among the 23 notable gardens, several stood out for their blend of beauty and meaningful impact.
Jo Thompson’s ‘The Glasshouse Garden’ offered more than just visual delight. It represented a powerful social mission. This rose-filled retreat was designed to support women leaving prison through horticultural training, demonstrating how gardens can become spaces of healing and new beginnings. The gentle curves of pathways winding through abundant blooms created a sense of sanctuary that resonated with visitors.
The crowning achievement came from Kazuyuki Ishihara, whose ‘Cha No Niwa – Japanese Tea Garden’ claimed the prestigious Best in Show award. Ishihara’s masterpiece captured the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics. The careful balance of stone, water, and precisely placed plants creating a sense of timeless tranquility. As visitors moved through the space, many noted how the garden seemed to slow time itself. Inviting contemplation in our otherwise hurried world.
Gardens with Purpose
What particularly struck me about this year’s show was how many gardens addressed real-world challenges through beautiful, practical solutions. Matthew Butler and Josh Parker’s ‘Garden of the Future’ showcased innovative approaches to climate resilience, featuring a composting toilet producing biochar and a solar-powered irrigation system. The garden demonstrated how sustainability can be seamlessly integrated into design without sacrificing beauty.
British Television gardening favourite Monty Don presented a delightful dog-friendly garden complete with pet-safe plants and thoughtful educational elements. This garden wasn’t just for show – it’s set to be relocated to the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, where it will continue to bring joy and practical benefits to our four-legged friends and their human companions.
Royal Connections
The Chelsea Flower Show has long enjoyed royal patronage, and this year King Charles III and Queen Camilla made a special appearance, touring the gardens with evident enthusiasm. The King, known for his passionate advocacy of environmental causes, spent considerable time discussing sustainability features with designers.
A highlight of the royal visit was the unveiling of ‘The King’s Rose’, a stunning new variety created in honour of King Charles, with proceeds benefiting The King’s Foundation. The deep crimson blooms with their subtle fragrance quickly became one of the most photographed plants at the show.
Adding to the star power, David Beckham made his first appearance at Chelsea this year, supporting youth engagement in horticulture through the King’s Trust Garden. His presence helped shine a spotlight on initiatives encouraging young people to discover the joys and benefits of gardening.
A Living History
It’s worth remembering that the Chelsea Flower Show’s rich history stretches back to 1913, evolving from a simple fête to the globally renowned event we know today. The Great Pavilion, introduced in 2000, remains a breathtaking feature, spanning nearly 11,775 square metres – large enough to park 500 London buses!
Walking through this vast space filled with the finest examples of horticultural expertise from around the world, one can’t help but feel connected to a tradition that has adapted and flourished through changing times while maintaining its essential character.
Bet You Didn’t Know This…
While the Chelsea Flower Show may be familiar to many, there are always delightful surprises and hidden stories beneath the blooms. Here are a few fascinating facts that might surprise even the most dedicated garden enthusiasts:
Floral Typography
This year’s RHS Letters installation featured approximately 5,000 flowers, including unusual varieties of Protea and Heliconia, creating a vibrant ombré effect that became one of the most photographed spots at the show.
Royal Restrictions
Did you know that garden gnomes were traditionally banned from Chelsea? It wasn’t until 2013 that these cheerful figures were officially permitted – and only for that centenary year. However, this year saw a special “Gnome Zone” where artists created bespoke gnomes to raise funds for horticultural education.
Midnight Magic
After the show closes each evening, an army of gardeners works through the night to ensure every display looks pristine for the following day. This year, over 150 nocturnal gardeners tended to the exhibits, replacing approximately 2,300 blooms that had begun to fade.
Weather Wizardry
Several exhibitors this year employed climate-controlled transportation to bring sensitive plants to perfect bloom exactly for show week. The ‘Himalayan Garden’ featured rare blue poppies that were carefully timed to flower during the exact five days of the show – a horticultural feat requiring months of precise temperature manipulation.
From Show to Street
Unlike many exhibitions, nearly 80% of the plants and materials from this year’s show will find new homes in community gardens, schools, and hospitals across Britain. The ‘Community Connections Garden’ will be entirely transplanted to create five separate garden spaces in urban areas with limited green space.
Tom’s Teacup
In a charming nod to British tea culture (something our fictional friend Tom from Chapter 12 of British Culture Premium Immersive Guide would appreciate), this year’s show featured a giant teacup garden measuring 3 meters across, planted with drought-resistant herbs traditionally used in British tea blends.
These little-known facts remind us that the Chelsea Flower Show is more than just a display of beautiful gardens – it’s a living celebration of innovation, tradition, and the quiet magic that happens when human creativity meets the natural world.
Experience British Traditions Year-Round
If our visit to the Chelsea Flower Show has awakened a deeper curiosity about British cultural traditions, you’re not alone. Many visitors find themselves wanting to explore more of what makes British culture so distinctive and charming.
Our British Culture Premium Immersive Guide offers a perfect way to continue your journey of discovery. Beyond just reading about traditions like the Chelsea Flower Show, this guide brings British cultural experiences to life through rich storytelling, authentic recipes, and seasonal insights that allow you to create your own immersive British moments wherever you are.
From the gentle rituals of afternoon tea to the pageantry of royal celebrations. From cosy pub traditions to the changing rhythms of British seasons. The Premium Guide offers a window into the heart of British life that goes far beyond tourist clichés.
