I was so happy to visit Chelsea flower show 2021 yesterday.
I usually cover the show annually and have missed going so much over these lockdowns.
This year it is at a slightly later date than usual, hence there were more Autumnal florals and foliage on display than the usual roses and Tulips .
There were lots of pumpkins, harvested fruits and vegetables on display in the indoor Pavilion too.
Anyway, I’d like to start with an image of the NHS tribute garden above, designed by Naomi Ferrett-Cohen, seeing as I’m part of the NHS.
Love the dramatic timber arches leading you to a tranquil space for contemplation. I’d love to have this garden at my hospital.
It was wonderful to see lots of Chelsea Pensioners, recognisable by their bright red coats, enjoying and many participating in the show.
I did overhear one of them saying that they have not been able to access the garden for 6 weeks in the build up to Chelsea Flower show 2021, but what a wonderful event it is when revealed.
Here they are in The RHS Queen’s Green Canopy Garden awaiting Dame Judi Dench to officially open the garden.
This is part of the ‘Plant a Tree for the Jubilee’ campaign. 
Here’s the wonderful Dame Judi Dench doing the honours of opening the garden, flanked by the jovial looking Chelsea Pensioners.
If only my garden was big enough to have a fabulous greenhouse like this from Alitex.
The space has been warmly decorated and styled by Selina Lake with a mix of handmade and vintage.
Love the Autumnal vibe here.
Dahlias, one of my favourite flowers for this season
Here’s another cosy corner. Apples in abundance at this time of year.
The outdoor space.
This is The Parsley Box garden. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed in, so I couldn’t really show you more.
Two models aged 26 and 76 modelled vintage dresses with bespoke collars embellished with dried flowers.
The theme here was about banishing the stereotype attached to ageing, by creating the impression that both models are the same age when viewed from behind.
When they turn around, both will be equally magnificent regardless of their age.
Here’s the Yeo Valley Organic Garden, featuring a Chelsea Pensioner enjoying the suspended egg hide.
This garden incorporates the organic plants found in their family run gardens in Somerset.
At the front of the garden is an open meadow with perennials full of colour and scent.
The egg shaped hide is made of oak, suspended over a stream that runs through the garden.
This is the Trailfinders’ 50th Anniversary Garden, inspired by the landscape, culture and plants of the himalayan foothills.
This garden celebrates the origins of the company, which sold its first overland trips to Kathmandu in 1970.
As you can see, a happy couple in traditional Himalayan dress are enjoying the garden.
Such a beautiful garden full of lush vegetation and florals.
The plants in this garden can survive at altitudes as high as 1 mile above the sea level, with hardy plants such as rhododendruns and persicaris and cautleyas.
I’m sure you can guess that this is the florence Nightingale garden right?
It’s a garden in celebration of modern day nursing.
This is an imagined courtyard for a hospital, marking 200 years since Florence Nightingale’s birth.
Beautiful timber pergolas and late flowering perennials, grasses and bulbs are a feature. 
This is the Guangzhou garden inspired by the landscape and environmental planners of Guangzhou in China.
It’s about connecting people to the nature, and highlights how climate change requires the re-evaluation of planning policy.
They have used plants that help capture particulate matter, for cleaner air and water.
The wood shelters provide social space for people and homes for wildlife.
This is the Bodmin jail: 60 degrees East garden, inspired by a garden in the heart of the metropolis of Yekaterinburg and the Ural mountains.
Now for a super blast of colour, pink to be precise, even though this is called the Green Room.
It’s a collaboration between Ian Drummond, Indoor Garden Design, Malvern Garden Buildings and James Whiting.
Here’s another view.
Indoor is a haven of green indoor plants, coupled with pink lights and a disco feel.
This is another bright one, called Pop Street Garden, taking inspiration from the Pop art culture, and is part of the Container garden series at the show.
Since we are edging towards Autumn, then pumpkins are certainly plentiful this year at the show.
The main showstopper is this giant pumpkin that weighs 800Ibs grown by Ben white, seen in the photo above.
Last but not least, is the winner of this year’s RHS Sustainable product of the year. The honours go to Ocean Plastic Pots with their pots made from discarded rope and fishing net.
Hope you’ve enjoyed the whirlwind tour of Chelsea Flower show. There are lots more to see that I may not have mentioned here.
Definitely well worth a visit.
( All photos here on Chelsea flower Show 2021 are copyright of Geraldine Tan, editor of Little Big Bell).