The event draws in many visitors and is a popular attraction during the Chelsea Flower Show. A contest is also held to determine the winner of the best floral display, as judged by a panel of experts.
We spent a day at the event, from morning till evening, going from relatively quiet to packed from the afternoon and saw many of the flower displays. Here are some of our favourites. We have also published a video about the day:
Jurassic Park Display
Starting from Sloane Square, we were greeted with a T-rex from Jurassic Park; luckily, this one was made of flowers. That didn’t help the flower person caught in the Tyrannosaurus’s mouth. The display was finalised with a Hollywood sign, popcorn, and movie cameras.
Oscar Statue
You couldn’t have a movie theme without the Oscar statue. So this year’s event had a big one at one end of Pavilion Road. Behind the figure, you could find stars for famous movie stars in a Chelsea version of the Walk of Fame. Further on Pavilion Road, you could even discover E.T. on his bicycle.
The Lion King
The Lion King on Duke of York Square was one of the more extensive displays. It featured the famous ‘Circle of Life’ scene from The Lion King, where Rafkiki presents the newborn Simba to animals gathered around them.
BAFTA Mask
A movie-themed event in Britain wouldn’t be complete without a giant BAFTA mask. Luckily there was one in Dovehouse Green along King’s Road.
Tiffany & Co
On Sloane Street, Tiffany & Co’s 2023 Chelsea in Bloom display was inspired by the Breakfast at Tiffany’s opening scene, featuring Audrey Hepburn and her iconic pearl necklace. In addition, the display celebrated the 65th anniversary of Truman Capote’s book, which tells the story of a girl living life on her own terms.
Hackett
Hackett store on Sloane Street was decorated as the Hackett Orient Express, a luxurious train inspired by Agatha Christie’s mystery novels. The train boasts stunning decor and large trunks, creating a surreal ambience among the floral surroundings, where anything can happen.
Jo Malone London
Jo Malone London partnered with Ricky Paul Flowers to create a floral exhibit for Chelsea in Bloom. The display showcased how the varied landscapes of Britain inspire the film industry with its larger-than-life design and film set aesthetics. For example, you could see an array of wildflowers - thistles, heather, achillea, and lavender - that grow in the Scottish Highlands.
Dermalogica
On the Duke of York Square, Skincare brand Dermalogica paid homage to the 2018 film Bohemian Rhapsody, which tells the story of the legendary band Queen.
Monica Vinader
Monica Vinader’s Duke of York Square store flower display was inspired by the children’s classic The Secret Garden. The display featured the iconic mossy and vibrant garden.
Self-portrait
Han Chong, the founder and creative director of Self-Portrait, designed a stunning floral creation inspired by the Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland, located centrally on the Duke of York Square. The display showcased preserved flowers and foliage such as hydrangeas, roses, and carnations and was arranged against a preserved moss, eucalyptus, and ivy backdrop.
Polpo
The creative team at Veevers Carter designed a display for Polpo restaurant inspired by the film ‘The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou’ by Wes Anderson. It features a custom submarine replica with functional headlights. The Polpo octopus emblem comprised thousands of flowers arranged on a metal framework covered in natural plaster fabric to enclose the submarine. It was also a good spot for some photographs through the submarine window. The team at Veevers Carter used a mix of bright yellow and pastel colours in the display to create a dreamy atmosphere inspired by Wes Anderson’s films.
Kiki McDonough
Kiki McDonough’s window display on Symons Street showed characters Baloo, Shere Khan and Kaa from Disney’s ‘The Jungle Book’ made of flowers. Thousands of flowers have been used to bring the jungle characters to life in Kiki McDonough’s window display. It was a beautiful display and attracted a lot of people.
Poetry
Right next to Kiki McDonough, Poetry had built their flower display around the WALL-E theme, emphasising using eco-friendly and recycled materials in their products.
Cole & Son
Cole & Son on Jubilee Place was another popular flower display themed around Alice in Wonderland with the Cheshire Cat smile, some playing cards, and beautifully designed flower settings.
Love my Human
Love my Human, a pet boutique that adores Cairn Terriers teamed up with a skilled artist named Kate Toms and florist Sally Koda from Hana Flowers London. Together, they recreated The Yellow Brick Road inspired by The Wizard of Oz.
ME+EM
ME+EM set up a wildflower meadow inside their store window. The idea is inspired by David Attenborough’s ‘Life in the Undergrowth’ documentary and primarily revolves around the theme of bumblebees. The meadow encompassed potted plants of different heights hung from the ceiling depicting the natural surroundings where bumblebees thrive.
Peter Jones
The window display was inspired by the well-known film adaptation of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. It showcased a variety of vibrant floral colours and textures that emphasise the playful and fanciful components of the movie. The display also included movement to help boost the windows’ overall excitement.
Summary
Chelsea in Bloom is one of your favourite events throughout the year, and we recommend visiting it when possible. We have also published a video featuring many of the displays.
