The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has confirmed that all of this year's Garden Shows will be cancelled due to the spread of coronavirus.
The world-famous gardening charity explained that they had hoped to deliver at least one show this year, but have made the decision to cancel all upcoming events — including those that were rescheduled for September.
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2020 was cancelled for the first time since the Second World War, going online-only instead. Other cancelled shows include the RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2020 and, most recently, the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, RHS Hyde Hall and RHS Rosemoor.
In the press release, the society said: "This is a worldwide unprecedented and challenging time for so many people and of course the health and safety of our members, visitors, exhibitors and staff remains our number one priority."
The decision follows the UK Government's move to no longer support mass gathering events in an attempt to ease pressure on the emergency services. As a result, the following RHS Shows will now be cancelled:
- RHS London Spring Launch & Orchid Show, 7-8 April
- RHS Botanical Art and Photography Show, 17-18 April
- RHS Flower Show Cardiff, 17-19 April
- RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 7–10 May
- RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 19–23 May
- RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, 11–14 June
- RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show, 26-28 June
- RHS Garden Hyde Hall Flower Show, 5 – 9 August
- RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, 14 – 16 August
- RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, 6-12 July
- RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, 22–26 July
- RHS Garden Wisley Flower Show, 8– 13 September
The RHS will be in touch with all ticket holders for the above events in due course. They are asking members not to get in touch with them directly to allow them to follow procedure as quickly as possible.
Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, says: "We had so hoped that we could hold our much loved RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival this autumn for our members, visitors, exhibitors and sponsors, but sadly in these challenging times this is just not possible.
"We are pleased that our Virtual Chelsea online show did so much in terms of bringing some horticultural joy to the nation, as well as supporting the horticulture industry and we continue to support our nurseries through the Garden Magazine and online during this time.
"We continue to carefully follow Government advice and make responsible decisions with the health and safety of people always at the front of our minds.
"All future planned RHS shows are of course subject to Government advice allowing them to take place, but we hope to welcome you back in 2021 to some spectacular shows, including of course the world’s best flower show, Chelsea 2021."
While the Garden Shows themselves might be cancelled this year, the RHS has announced it will reopen its beautiful gardens to give people a place to enjoy nature.
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20 gardening tools and essentials you can get delivered to your home right now
Moving mulch, compost or soil to your garden beds? A wheelbarrow is an essential to save your back. One-wheeled, two-handled options are great for manoeuvrability, but if you're limited in strength you may want to opt for a dual-wheeled one.
A fantastic spade that's RHS-approved, this stainless steel choice is rust-resistant and won't need regular sharpening, making it easy to maintain. Long-handle spades like this are great for digging large plots and transferring soil (not to mention being easier on your back). This is also a sustainable choice with the handle made from FSC-certified ash.
V&A William Morris Gardening Gloves
Add a splash of bold and beautiful colour to your garden activities with these stylish William Morris-print gloves. Not just for good looks, of course, they'll also protect you from thorns and brambles while you're working.
Keep your garden looking spic and span and free from leaves and debris with this top-notch DeWit rake, which makes clearing up much more pleasurable.
Sicilian lemon kneeler pillow
Protect your knees while getting in amongst the borders with this pretty kneeler. Or you might prefer strap-on knee pads so you don't have to keep moving it – BUY NOW, £14.99
Protect your clothes and get organised with a stylish gardening apron. Whether you're planting new flowerbeds, picking vegetables or potting around in the shed or greenhouse, this trusty apron will ensure clothes stay clean. What's more, all important tools, seeds and more can be stored close to hand in the front pocket.
Webb electric rotary mower ER40 15"
Opt for a more eco-friendly electric lawnmower as opposed to a petrol one.
Ensyure your hedges and borders looks super-smart with an easy-lift, lightweight, cable-free trimmer for quick and easy grooming.
RHS Burgon and Ball stainless steel digging fork
An efficient tool for turning soil, garden forks can dig into dense soil better than a spade. This one made from rust-proof stainless steel with forged tines for extra strength, is a high-quality digging fork that's endorsed by the RHS. Need we say more?
personalised Personalised Fork And Trowel Gardening Set For Gardener
This personalised fork and trowel set is the perfect gift for your gardening-loving friend.
Personalised Copper Plated Garden Pruner Secateurs
Plants taking over? Pruning shears, or secateurs as they're also known, help reign in plants that are getting out of control. They're also perfect for trimming flowers, like roses. Why not match yours to your hand trowel and fork for stylish trio?
This well-crafted garden hoe will make light work of clearing weeds from your flower beds, borders and veg plots. The extra-long handle will also protect you from back strain.
All gardens need a trusty watering can to keep flowers and plants thriving. This durable one is available in three sizes, so you can choose the one to suit your outdoor space. The 1.5L is perfect for herb pots on plant stands. The 5L for small gardens with plant pots and flowers. And the biggest, the 10L for vast rural flowerbeds and herb gardens.
Tackle a variety of different tasks around your garden with ease with the simple press of a button. This handy trimmer can be used to edge the borders of your lawn, and a wheel is fitted to the trimmer, making it easier to follow the edges around walls and fences. There's also a shrubbing mode, making it simple to tackle difficult-to-reach areas, like under benches and bushes.
Keep track of what you've planted with these stylish slate plant labels. The set comes complete with a square soapstone pencil, which allows you to interchange the labels with what's in season or current family favourites
Keep everything together in a clever storage box that also doubles up as a foldable seat. You'll enjoy gardening so much more if you're comfortable and everything is to hand. The removable bag fastens with press studs and includes spacious side compartments for hand tools, dibbers, pens, string, and other necessities, and a central section perfect for larger items or a spot of lunch.
Another handy cutting tool, loppers are basically long-handled pruning shears used to trim hard-to-reach areas and cut thicker branches.
RSPB Garden wildlife camera - new
Don't miss the incredible action going on in your own garden. A good wildlife camera will capture all the exciting activity. This one from RSPB can be used to view anything from birds on a feeder, bird tables and nest box entrances, to hedgehogs and other nocturnal wildlife. It can also even be used to keep an eye on the garden or house as a security camera.
Maintain an ideal growing environment with an easy-to-use soil tester kit. You can test the pH and nutrient profile of your soil, think soil acidity and levels of nitrogen, phosphorus and potash, to see if it needs extra help.
SPGOOD 50FT/15M Expanding Garden Hose Set with Splitter, Foam Water Bottle Expandable Garden Hose, 9 Futions Spray
Water is the foundation of your garden’s life and it’s important that your garden hose can reach and spray every area. If you buy one with an adjustable nozzle, it puts you in control of the water pressure and spray radius. You can also buy nozzles separately.
Emma-Louise Pritchard is the Membership Director for Country Living UK & House Beautiful UK, previously Executive Digital Editor for Country Living UK. Emma-Louise is a digital expert specialising in content strategy, social media and newsletters. Her topics include sustainability, homes and interiors, gardening, health and wellbeing, pets, travel and countryside news. She has previously written for Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan and has won several awards, from AOP Digital Editor of the Year 2019 to PPA 30 Under 30. Emma-Louise studied at Cardiff University where she completed an MA in Magazine Journalism.
