THE ONE FOR THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW
Tips, What I Learned, What I Loved, and Why I'd Recommend It to You
My mom had a big birthday this spring, and my sisters and I decided to take her to England to celebrate the thing she loves most: gardens. We started in Sussex, visiting two gardens a day. Some of the most famous gardens in England, like Sissinghurst and Great Dixter, were on our route. We ended that trip with just me and my mom going to London, and my dad meeting us before he continued on to another trip with my mom.
It was one of those trips where the contrast between two very different things made both of them more meaningful. The gardens in Sussex showed me how things actually grow in nature. Chelsea is different. Every single plant was perfectly placed and curated. It was pure inspiration, seeing what's possible at the highest level.
I walked 11,383 steps at Chelsea, so let's start with what I wore, because those steps matter.
WHAT I WORE
I wore a floral dress from Emilia Wickstead, one of my favorite English designers. (A floral dress to the Chelsea Flower Show, on theme, obviously.) It was past season so I can't link it here, but she does still make similar dresses you can find on her website. I love breaking up the print on a dress with a strong waist belt, so I wore the Sarah Flint Vienna belt in white. Inside my small bag, a white Gucci bamboo bag, I had a Sarah Flint shopping tote that I pulled out to fill up as we shopped.
I usually wear heels with this dress, but given the amount of walking, I decided to opt for the Natalie slingback in white. If I'm trying to go dressier with a flat, I usually like to choose a pointed toe and the open back means there's nothing rubbing against your heel as your feet swell throughout the day.
I wore a trench coat from Alice Walk, a Boston-based brand I love. She doesn't seem to make this coat anymore, but linking to her website anyway. This particular coat is a swing coat, which has a retro vibe that I love and also fits over almost anything I'm wearing.
HOW TO ATTEND CHELSEA: WHAT ACTUALLY WORKS
If you're thinking about going, here's what I learned:
The RHS membership is worth the investment. It lets you visit on the Tuesday before the show opens to the public. It's less crowded on Tuesday, but still very crowded. Most people start arriving at 10 a.m., so if you can get there right at 8 a.m., you'll see the show gardens when they're at their least crowded. After 10, move to the areas you think will be less popular. We did our shopping around lunchtime, which was genuinely the quietest time we found.
Bring a small bag or tote. When you see things you love but don't have room in your suitcase, collect the vendor's card or brochure. You can shop from home later, which is actually a gift. It lets you browse without the pressure of carrying everything around or making split-second decisions.
The show is huge, and it's not possible to see everything unless you're really rushing, so it's better to have a clear plan going in. I focused on the rock gardens and meadow designs because those are things I want to create at home. At a certain point, you start to get visual overload, so again going in with a plan of what you really want to focus on is always a good idea.
THE 12 VENDOR DISCOVERIES
This is where Chelsea became less of a garden show and more of a masterclass in what's possible when it comes to outdoor living, garden structures, and beautiful things for your home.
STRUCTURES & GREENHOUSES
Scotts of Thrapston makes pre-made summer houses and garden room structures that ship and assemble. My mom fell in love with their small garden room, the kind you could use for reading or tea time. I was obsessed with their mini playhouse structure (yes, it's for adults too, and yes, it's going on my list).
Breeze House creates outdoor structures with fold-down pieces, so you can have something open or enclosed depending on the weather. Perfect if you want a covered space for outdoor meals and gatherings without attaching something to your house.
Boon does luxury, sustainably crafted pre-built spaces, from guest houses to home offices. You place them on your property, hook up water and gas, and you have a separate structure that looks beautiful and functions as a real room. They come in different styles and finishes.
Greenhouse People makes pre-fabricated greenhouses that ship to you and assemble on-site. If you've been thinking about a greenhouse but the idea of building one feels overwhelming, this removes that barrier.
OUTDOOR FURNITURE & GARDEN
Harrod Horticultural has outdoor furniture and garden structures designed to stay outside year-round. I was in the market for furniture I didn't have to bring in during winter, and they have options in different styles and materials.
She Grows Veg sells seeds, including heirloom varieties. I bought tomato seeds and some shade-garden vegetables for my sister. If you're at all interested in growing things, this is where to start.
So Cozy makes rugs and pillows in natural materials with organic certifications. I got to chat with the owners, a husband and wife duo who had built the booth completely themselves. They were incredibly knowledgeable about every detail of what they were creating. He had the kind of passion that I feel for what I'm doing, so it was an incredibly fun conversation to have.
HOME GOODS & ACCESSORIES
Birdie Fortescue carries pillows, lamps, and home goods in beautiful, printed fabrics. Very focused on color and pattern.
Club Matters specializes in place settings, napkins, trays, and placemats. If you're the kind of person who sets a nice table, even for casual meals, this is the place. They'd also be great for gifts.
Bill Brown Bags makes handmade hats, bags, and roll-up beds. All the kind of things that make great gifts if you have room in your suitcase (I didn't, so I noted this for future shopping).
Jane Hogben Terracotta creates handmade, one-of-a-kind pottery. Family-owned. Each piece is unique. I brought home some pieces that I love.
Kaho Prints is a mother-daughter duo from West Sussex who design ethically sourced, organic clothing, homeware, and accessories. We had the loveliest conversation with both of them at their booth. I bought a dress and a shirt for myself and a shirt for my mom. Supporting small makers is one of the best parts of Chelsea.
WHO SHOULD GO
I'd recommend Chelsea to avid gardeners who want to see what's possible at the highest level. I'd recommend it to beginner gardeners looking for ideas and inspiration. I'd recommend it to people who love to travel and are looking for a trip that combines culture, shopping, and nature. I'd recommend it to anyone who's been dreaming of upgrading their outdoor space but didn't know where to start. Chelsea gives you a thousand starting points.
Most of all, I'd recommend it if you love flowers, nature, design, and discovering small makers and independent companies doing beautiful work.