Gnomes decorated by stars including actress Cate Blanchett and Queen guitarist Sir Brian May are lining up to take their place among the blooms at the Chelsea Flower Show.
The quirky garden ornaments are making a comeback to the world-famous event after organisers, the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), lifted its Chelsea gnome ban for only the second time in the show’s history.
People will be able to bid to get their hands on the gnomes, which are decorated by celebrities including Alan Titchmarsh, Dame Mary Berry, Tom Allen, Dame Joanna Lumley and Bill Bailey, in an online auction from Friday until Sunday May 24.
Money raised in the auction will go to the RHS’s Campaign For School Gardening, which helps schoolchildren access gardening, giving them the chance to learn through growing plants, developing practical skills, confidence and understanding of the environment, the charity said.
And visitors to the show will also be able to spot one or two of the cheery chaps in the RHS And The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, designed with input from Charles, Sir David Beckham and Mr Titchmarsh to a bid to encourage people to get curious about gardening.
The appearance of gnomes in the garden will reflect a tradition at Highgrove Garden, the King’s residence in Gloucestershire, where a gnome is often to be found in The Stumpery.
It is only the second time the RHS has lifted its Chelsea gnome ban, after first allowing them in 2013 to celebrate the centenary of the show.
People will be able to bid to get their hands on the gnomes in an online auction from Friday until Sunday May 24 (Oliver Dixon/RHS/PA)
Clare Matterson, RHS director general, said: “We are delighted to lift the ban on gnomes for such an important cause.
“RHS Chelsea is our biggest charitable fundraiser, and this auction will enable us to support thousands of children to discover the joy and benefits of gardening.
“My heartfelt thanks go to all our celebrity contributors, whose colourful gnomes will not only brighten the show but also help inspire a lifelong connection with gardening for young people.”
The RHS unveiled its celebrity gnomes as it announced the Chelsea Flower Show sold out before opening its doors to the public for the first time since before Covid, which forced the cancellation of the event at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, in 2020, and a move to an autumn slot in 2021.
Ms Matterson said the news the show was already sold out was “great for gardening”.
The 150,000 tickets help raise millions of pounds for community gardening programmes across the UK and science research to inform efforts to tackle climate change, the charity said.
Visitors to the show will see gardens representing the country’s “forgotten forests” – planted ancient woodlands, one inspired by the new Eden Project site in Morecombe, one on helping homeowners cope with flooding and another on communities coming together, among a host of show gardens and displays.
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