garden exhibitions Archives

A Bloom Reimagined: The Return of New York’s Great Flower Show

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. November 15, 1984 Dearest reader, On this day, the venerable New York Times heralded the return of something most dear to the city’s heart—a Spring Flower Show. After a decade-long silence following the…

Chelsea Flower Show: Historic Beginning of the Iconic Garden Event

A garden from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, a prestigious flower and landscape garden show held annually by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London.

The Royal Horticultural Society’s Great Spring Show May 20, 1913 On this day, the first Chelsea Flower Show was held at Chelsea General Hospital. Originally called the Royal Horticultural Society’s Great Spring Show, the first Chelsea Flower Show was held in 1862 at the RHS garden in Kensington. Staged in a single tent, the first…

From Blooms to Scandal: The Curious Tale of George Thurtell

This botanical history post was featured on The Daily Gardener podcast: Click here to see the complete show notes for this episode. June 13, 1832 It was on this day that George Thurtell held his impressive ranunculus show as part of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society. It was said that Thurtell had exhibited between…