The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has long been the ultimate arbiter of British garden taste. For decades, its influence has dictated what is considered elegant, desirable - and, crucially, what is not.
Chief among the latter? The humble garden gnome.
At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, gnomes have effectively been persona non grata for nearly a century.
As far back as 1927, Rule 30 declared that "no statuary or other sundries may be exhibited," a restriction that grew increasingly strict over time, evolving into an outright ban in the 1980s on "highly coloured figures, including animals, birds, gnomes, fairies or any similar creatures, actual or mythical, for use as garden ornaments."
And yet, in 2026, that long-standing horticultural taboo is being overturned. Because this year at Chelsea, the King himself — alongside Cate Blanchett and a constellation of other high-profile names — is leading an unexpected revival of Britain’s most divisive garden ornament.
If the RHS has historically frowned upon gnomes, King Charles has playfully embraced them.
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At Highgrove, the King's private Gloucestershire garden, a lone gnome is known to appear - and mysteriously reappear - in the Stumpery. "It seems to move around," says Melissa Harrison, head of horticulture at The King’s Foundation. "I'm sure it’s the boss, moving it around, just to keep us on our feet!"
That spirit of mischief sits at the heart of this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show. For only the second time in its history, the RHS is officially lifting its gnome ban.
The reason is playful and purposeful: celebrities have been invited to decorate gnomes, which will then be auctioned to raise funds for the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, an initiative designed to boost children’s wellbeing, skills and connection to nature.
At the centre of it all is The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, designed by horticulturalist and TV presenter Frances Tophill.
Conceived as a space to encourage experimentation and joy, it marks a subtle but significant shift in gardening culture - away from perfection and towards personality. And this year it will feature a gnome or two. "Come with an open mind," Frances Tophill urges.
The gnome ban has been lifted only once before, in 2013 to celebrate the show's centenary, when celebrities were invited to decorate gnomes to be auctioned to raise funds for RHS educational charities. Sir Elton John, Dame Mary Berry, Lily Allen and Joanna Lumley all took part.
This year, once again, well-known public figures will be bringing their creative talents to bear on what some may regard as quite a challenge. Dame Mary Berry has signed up again and ‘artists’ include Cate Blanchett, Sir Brian May and Baroness Floella Benjamin, with more to be announced.
RHS Director General, Clare Matterson, says: "We want people to be playful with their gardening, which is why we’re lifting the gnome ban for these celebrity gnomes, who will then, by being auctioned off, help us do even more to awaken a curiosity in gardening in school children and support our national Campaign for School Gardening.
"Gardening in schools increases resilience, builds confidence, encourages curiosity and gives access to nature – it’s a vital resource that every school should have access to."
As well as gnomes, The RHS and The King's Foundation Curious Garden will feature delphiniums – His Majesty grows them at Highgrove and is president of the Delphinium Society.
King's Foundation ambassador David Beckham also gets a look in, with seven raised beds in a nod to his position at Man United and the England squad, some planted with garlic, one of his favourite edibles. Alan Titchmarsh, meanwhile, will lend his reassuring presence as both RHS and King’s Foundation ambassador.
But it is the gnomes — those once-banned, brightly coloured symbols of bad taste — that are likely to steal the show.
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Vicky Carlisle is Editor of Country Living at Hearst UK. She heads up a talented editorial team delivering multichannel content across homes, decorating, crafts, wildlife, food, health and travel. She has been telling stories for magazines and blue-chip commercial clients for three decades. She has also worked for Hearst in the US, where she launched America’s first alternative health magazine. She has won three top industry awards. She has BA in English from Durham University and an MA in Journalism from Cardiff University. Follow Vicky on Instagram @vickycarlisle or Linkedin.
