British artist Marc Quinn poses with his sculpture of an orchid in the Royal Horticultural Society garden on May 20, 2013. The world-famous gardening event is celebrating its centenary year.
2013 —
British artist Marc Quinn poses with his sculpture of an orchid in the Royal Horticultural Society garden on May 20, 2013. The world-famous gardening event is celebrating its centenary year.
BEN STANSALL/AFP/Getty Images
Cacti are displayed on the "Southfield Nursery" stand on the press day at Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2013 in London, England.
2013 —
Cacti are displayed on the "Southfield Nursery" stand on the press day at Chelsea Flower Show on May 20, 2013 in London, England.
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
A flower-covered Mini Cooper in 2012, just one of the eye-catching creations for which Chelsea has become known in latter years.
2012 —
A flower-covered Mini Cooper in 2012, just one of the eye-catching creations for which Chelsea has become known in latter years.
Carl Court/ AFP/ Getty Images/ file
Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin created an 80ft pyramid-shaped "Westland Magical Garden'" in 2012. He asked Chelsea Pensioners, retired soldiers who live in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, to pose for pictures on the pyramid.
2012 —
Garden designer Diarmuid Gavin created an 80ft pyramid-shaped "Westland Magical Garden'" in 2012. He asked Chelsea Pensioners, retired soldiers who live in the Royal Hospital Chelsea, to pose for pictures on the pyramid.
Carl Court/ AFP/ Getty Images/ file
Lupins on display in 2011 show, a reminder that, despite the celebrities and grand designs, flowers are at the heart of the show
2011 —
Lupins on display in 2011 show, a reminder that, despite the celebrities and grand designs, flowers are at the heart of the show
Ben Stansall /AFP/Getty Images/ file
Many of Chelsea's gardens showcase styles from around the world, such as this Tourism Malaysia Garden in 2011
2011 —
Many of Chelsea's gardens showcase styles from around the world, such as this Tourism Malaysia Garden in 2011
Chris Jackson/ WPA Pool/Getty Images/ file
The Victorian Aviary Garden at the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show
2010 —
The Victorian Aviary Garden at the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show
Chris Jackson/Getty Images/ file
A bumblebee on a flower in the 2008 show. Sue Biggs says the detail of an individual flower can be as compelling as the grand vistas of the show.
2008 —
A bumblebee on a flower in the 2008 show. Sue Biggs says the detail of an individual flower can be as compelling as the grand vistas of the show.
Shaun Curry/AFP/Getty Images/file
In their distinctive red coats, old soldiers called Chelsea Pensioners are a familiar sight at Chelsea. Here, one comes face to face with the Beatrix Potter character Peter Rabbit, in 2003.
2003 —
In their distinctive red coats, old soldiers called Chelsea Pensioners are a familiar sight at Chelsea. Here, one comes face to face with the Beatrix Potter character Peter Rabbit, in 2003.
Nicolas Asfouria/AFP/Getty Images/ file
A show piece called the "4Head Garden of Dreams" by designers Marney Hall and Heather Yarrow in the 2006 show
2006 —
A show piece called the "4Head Garden of Dreams" by designers Marney Hall and Heather Yarrow in the 2006 show
Carl de Souza/AFP/Getty Images/ file
A Chelsea Pensioner inspects a 2004 work by Diarmuid Gavin called "A Colourful Suburban Eden".
2004 —
A Chelsea Pensioner inspects a 2004 work by Diarmuid Gavin called "A Colourful Suburban Eden".
Scott Barbour/Getty Images/ file
A woman at the 1976 show blends in with her choice of hat
1976 —
A woman at the 1976 show blends in with her choice of hat
Courtesy RHS Lindley Library
Hat to hat chat....two women in straw hats chat during a visit to the 1964 Chelsea Flower Show
1964 —
Hat to hat chat....two women in straw hats chat during a visit to the 1964 Chelsea Flower Show
Cleland Rimmer/Getty Images/ file
Chelsea Flower Show was a fashionable place to be seen in 1958 as it is today.
1958 —
Chelsea Flower Show was a fashionable place to be seen in 1958 as it is today.
Fox Photos/Getty Images/file
Smaller scale gardeners preparing for the 1955 show
1955 —
Smaller scale gardeners preparing for the 1955 show
Reg Speller/Fox Photos/Getty Images/file
Visitors relax to the sound of a band playing in the 1937 Chelsea Flower Show
1937 —
Visitors relax to the sound of a band playing in the 1937 Chelsea Flower Show
Courtesy RHS Lindley Library
Chelsea Flower Show has always been popular with the crowds, as this 1936 photograph shows. In 1979 turnstiles were introduced to prevent overcrowding and a ceiling has since been put on the number of tickets sold.
1936 —
Chelsea Flower Show has always been popular with the crowds, as this 1936 photograph shows. In 1979 turnstiles were introduced to prevent overcrowding and a ceiling has since been put on the number of tickets sold.
Courtesy RHS Lindley Library
And an earlier age...gardeners carrying pots of flowers during the 1931 Chelsea Flower Show
1931 —
And an earlier age...gardeners carrying pots of flowers during the 1931 Chelsea Flower Show
Courtesy RHS Lindley Library
A staff photograph from the first Chelsea Flower Show in the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1913. Sue Biggs is planning to recreate this image with the present-day staff this year.
1913 —
A staff photograph from the first Chelsea Flower Show in the Royal Hospital Chelsea in 1913. Sue Biggs is planning to recreate this image with the present-day staff this year.
Courtesy RHS Lindley Library