Chelsea Flower Show: First ever virtual event opens - BBC News
The event begins with a trip around Monty Don's garden and a message from Alan Titchmarsh.
The virtual Chelsea Flower Show will be taking place throughout the week

The first ever virtual Chelsea Flower Show is under way with organisers billing it as being "about sharing gardening knowledge".

The event usually takes place annually at London's Royal Hospital Chelsea, but was cancelled for the first time since World War Two due to the lockdown.

Content including tours of gardens by designers like Monty Don and demonstrations are being posted online.

"[The show is] happening, just not quite as we know it," said Don.

Monty Don gave a tour of his garden on the first day of the event

The gates of Royal Chelsea Hospital have remained closed this year because of the lockdown

Different themes will be followed each day, such as wildlife gardening, health and wellbeing, and growing plants in small or indoor spaces.

Experts will be providing tips and hints about gardening throughout the week

There will also be potting demonstrations, a "school gardening club" and lunchtime Q&As with garden experts.

Chelsea pensioners from the hospital also feature in one of the behind-the-scenes tours

Katherine Potsides, head of shows development at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), told the BBC exhibitors who would normally be at the event would be "showing us round the corners of their gardens" and demonstrating "what they're doing at this time to brighten up their own back yards".

"Part of virtual Chelsea really is about sharing that gardening knowledge," she said.

The show normally attracts thousands of visitors

In a message to its organisers, the Queen said she and her family had "always enjoyed visiting the show" and she was "pleased to hear that you will be providing gardening advice and virtual sessions on your website".

"As you adapt to the present circumstances, I hope you find this unique event enjoyable and interesting," she said.

The Royal Family have been regulars at the event including King George V and Queen Mary in 1930

The Queen is a patron of the RHS

RHS members will be able to see the content from Monday, with it being made available for everyone else over the rest of the week.

Special programmes looking back at the best of the Chelsea Flower Show will also be shown on BBC One and BBC Two.

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