RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2024 Press Day - A Garden Photographer’s Perspective
Muscular Dystrophy UK - Forest Bathing Garden designed by Ula Maria, Chelsea 2024
This year, I was fortunate to attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on Press Day. Not only was it my first Press Day as a garden photographer, but it was also my first time at the show, having only ever watched the highlights on TV.
Granted an Early Access Pass, I set my alarm for 4am and arrived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea Grounds for 5:30am. We were blessed with beautiful weather on the Monday, unlike the rest of the week, in which it mostly rained. My fellow photographers and I, many of whom I know through the Garden Media Guild and Professional Garden Photographer’s Association, enjoyed a stunning golden hour.
I was there as a commercial photographer, shooting for my photographic library with GAP Gardens who license my images. I mainly focused on smaller details like containers and beds, as well as my specialty, plant portraits. Of course, I captured some wider shots for my personal portfolio too.
The National Garden Scheme Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith, Chelsea 2024
Geranium pratense ‘Mrs Kendall Clark’
My favourite show garden was The National Garden Scheme Garden designed by Tom Stuart-Smith which won a gold medal. The planting was loose and informal, giving the garden a 'lived in' feel that was remarkably well achieved. This choice surprised me, as I’m usually drawn to colour, whereas Tom’s garden had a muted palette of white, green, and cool tones. But there was just something inherently familiar about it, it simply made you feel at home. And who wouldn’t want a shed with an AGA and an abundance of cake in it?!
Muscular Dystrophy UK - Forest Bathing Garden designed by Ula Maria, Chelsea 2024
Other standout show gardens were the Muscular Dystrophy UK - Forest Bathing Garden designed by Ula Maria, which won a gold medal and the coveted ‘Best in Show’, and The Octavia Hill Garden with Blue Diamond and The National Trust designed by Ann-Marie Powell winning silver-gilt and the ‘BBC People’s Choice Award’.
Ula’s garden was a tranquil and meditative space, drawing inspiration from the Japanese practice of forest bathing; ‘shinrin yoku’, while Ann-Marie’s was vibrant and joyful, with reference to Octavia Hill’s message of making gardens accessible to all.
The Octavia Hill Garden by Blue Diamond with the National Trust designed by Ann-Marie Powell, Chelsea 2024
Papaver somniferum 'Lauren's Grape'
Remarkably, I finished most of my day’s work in the show gardens, sanctuary gardens, and smaller exhibits by 10am, just as the light became less manageable. So I then headed to the Great Pavilion to see the talented nurseries' displays.
Cape Flora of South Africa by Leon Kluge Garden Design, Chelsea 2024
From a photographic perspective, my highlight in the Great Pavilion was the Cape Flora of South Africa display by Leon Kluge Garden Design, with its astonishing range of proteas. They won a gold medal, ‘Best Exhibit in the Great Pavilion’, and ‘New Design’ awards. The colours, textures, and shapes of the display made for truly creative imagery.
Protea ‘Empress’
By midday, the invited VIP guests had arrived, and the press photographers had their moment. With a career background working in theatre and entertainment venues, celebrities don’t faze me much, so it was just as well I was there for the plants, really. However, I’ll make an exception for being star-struck by Dame Judi Dench any day.
Saruma henryi
With this being my first Chelsea Flower Show Press Day, I can't provide some comparative analysis, but as a photographer, it felt like being an overly enthusiastic kid in a candy store.
Every angle was photogenic, every plant immaculate, and I could work quickly without usual limitations like spent flowers, late opening hours, too many people, or mercifully, bad weather. I’m sure in years to come, after covering more flower shows under different conditions I’ll have a more rounded view. Will the enthusiasm have worn off? I hope not. Until then, I’m incredibly grateful to the RHS for this opportunity and look forward to my next flower show later this summer!
