Table of Contents

With contributions from: The Lieutenant Governor Major General Peter Currie (Royal Hospital) David Hawes, RHS show facilities assistant Mark Fane, garden builder and nurseryman Andy McIndoe, managing director, Hillier Nurseries Ricky Dorlay, master plantsman, Hillier Nurseries John Sales, RHS judge of show gardens since 1985 Andrew Lawson, photographer Jerry Harpur, photographer Alan Titchmarsh, gardener, writer and broadcaster Mavis Sweetingham, RHS show manager 1986-2003 Beth Chatto, plantswoman Rosy Hardy, partner at Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants Jekka McVicar, nurseryman Stephen Bennett, RHS shows director Bunny Guinness, landscape architect Sarah Eberle, garden designer Alexandra Denman, RHS Chelsea Flower Show manager 2007- Joe Swift, garden designer Ulf Nordfell, garden designer Tom Stuart-Smith, garden designer Cleve West, garden designer

About the Author

BRENT ELLIOTT can reasonably claim to be the world expert on the history of Chelsea Flower Show. He is librarian and archivist to the Royal Horticultural Society and author of numerous articles and books. He has written introductions and captions to the RHS diaries (published by Frances Lincoln) since 1993.

Reviews

“Stunningly illustrated book ... packed with wonderful photographs of displays past and present that will have you reaching for your dibber.” - Daily Mail “Authoritative and evocatively illustrated book... equally compelling is the charting of the cavalcade of social and cultural influences that have shaped the show. Chelsea may be 100, but she is not in her dotage, and, one hopes, will long continue to surprise and delight.” - House & Garden “The text crackles with his customary wry wit, and is peppered with glorious nuggets ... the illustrations are especially rich.” - Gardens Illustrated “There is no better person to research and write the history of the Chelsea Flower Show than Brent Elliott ..." - Garden Design Journal "The essential souvenir of a show that has reflected and shaped tastes in garden design and planting for the past 100 years ... the chronological chapters provide a fascinating journey from the early shows to present day." - The Garden "Rich in anecdotes as well as history and is superbly illustrated". - The Lady 'Relive the glory of this year's centenary RHS Chelsea Flower Show” - Living North
"Decade by decade, author Elliott, librarian and archivist to the Royal Horticultural Society describes the birth, growth, and present-day flowering of this grand event. Interleaved through the narrative are “My Chelsea” sections by noted designers, gardeners and many other individual witnesses, including RHS Show Director. Trends have come and gone, royalty has passed through, and high society and hoi polloi have braved heat and rain to participate in this annual gala that is both a British social event, and arbiter of garden design, planting styles, and taste. American readers can immerse themselves in RHS Chelsea Flower Show’s ambiance, while cribbing marvelous ideas for their own garden projects. More than 200 photographs drawings and maps illustrate this handsome 100-year celebration of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show." - Lavender Magazine

"...a book that will take you through the very best of Chelsea from its inception 100 years ago to today....Stunning illustrations throughout, too ... a book you'll want to peruse over and over." - Garden Design Online

"...a carefully thought out and well written account of one of the most celebrated horticultural exhibits today...The colour pictures of the gardens are so vivid that I swear I could smell the flowers and made me want to reach out and touch the petals. From the close ups of individual flowers to the dramatic water features—the photos allow the reader to immerse themselves into the lush landscape. ..I highly recommend this book to both gardening enthusiasts and history buffs. It is also a great book for any reader and should take pride of place on any coffee table or book shelf." - Anglotopia.net