Chelsea Flower Show: How to watch livestream from home

Monday 18 May is the first day of the historic 'Virtual Chelsea' show

(Rex Features)

In the 107-year history of the Chelsea Flower Show it has only been cancelled once before, due to the Second World War. This year the show has been axed once again, as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and the UK lockdown.

When the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) first announced the cancellation of the event back in April, disappointed fans were told they would now need to wait until 2021 to get their fix of the “greatest flower show on earth”.

But on 1 May, the RHS changed its plans. It announced the show would go on – but unlike any before it – it would now be totally digital.

Although viewers could always catch snippets broadcast on the BBC, this event will bring more content than ever before, streaming live throughout the day, rather than just in scheduled slots.

On the RHS website, it says: “The world’s greatest flower show is going digital to bring you an exciting line-up of world-leading designers, plant experts and practical gardening advice – all from the comfort of your home.”

When is the Chelsea Flower Show 2020?

The Virtual RHS Chelsea Flower Show will run from Monday 18 May to Saturday 23 May.

Although the first-day of the six day event is for RHS members only – general members of the public will have to wait till Tuesday to start accessing the show.

What is available to watch and where can I find it?

The RHS website has published daily schedules on its website so you can plan ahead the segments you would like to watch.

Every day will follow a similar line-up and will adopt a theme, which ranges from promoting wildlife in your garden, health and wellbeing, and growing in small and indoor spaces.

Each morning will begin with a behind-the-scenes garden tour. This is an opportunity for well-known designers, gardening personalities, florists and nursery owners, who would have been exhibiting at Chelsea, to open up their gardens for viewers to take a look around.

On Tuesday (the first day open to all viewers), for example, Chelsea Gold medal-winning designer Sarah Eberle, will give inspiring design tips from her woodland garden.

Gardens will still be judged, as per the normal show, with judges including One Show presenter Alex Jones, Monty Don and the RHS’s James Alexander Sinclair and Sue Biggs. Viewers can also vote for their favourite Garden of the Decade during the daily episodes.

At lunchtime there will be a Q&A session where RHS experts and special guests will offer practical advice and top gardening tips to viewers. There will also be more interactive sessions with topics such as potting, gardening clubs and activities for kids.

Other sessions taking place on Tuesday include designer Charlotte Harris going on a tour of London parks to find robust plants for urban settings and rose growers David Austin Roses showing behind the scenes of their nursery.

As well as new footage made this year there will also be clips from the last ten years of Chelsea coverage being shown alongside.

All the content is available to livestream straight from the RHS website.

Can I still watch the Chelsea flower show on TV?

As well as the online videos and events, the Virtual Chelsea show will also be shown on BBC as done in previous years.

Join presenters Sophie Raworth, Joe Swift, Nicki Chapman and Monty Don every day at 3.45pm on BBC One and then again at 8pm on BBC Two.

RHS director general Sue Biggs, said: “I’m also delighted that despite such challenging circumstances the BBC are producing a special series of programmes celebrating the World’s Greatest Flower Show which will air throughout Virtual Show week on BBC One and Two.”

What else is there to do?

You can also take part with a competition, organised between RHS and the BBC's One Show, encouraging amateur gardeners to share pictures of their garden at home.

This should be shared on social media with the hashtag #myChelseagarden and can be a photo of any outdoor space from gardens to balcony hanging baskets or window boxes.

A recent ONS survey found one in eight British households does not have access to a garden in lockdown.

You can also get involved by helping to promote and support RHS charity campaigns such as their school gardening programme or Greening Great Britain.