Chelsea Flower Show welcomes gnomes as stars take up brushes
The Royal Horticultural Society has lifted its ban on garden gnomes at this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, drawing celebrity artists including Alan Titchmarsh and Dame Mary Berry. The painted gnomes will raise funds for the RHS’s school gardening campaign.
The Royal Horticultural Society has temporarily set aside a decades-old prohibition, allowing gnomes back into the Chelsea Flower Show’s hallowed grounds. Alan Titchmarsh, Dame Mary Berry, and David Beckham are among the luminaries who have already picked up brushes to adorn the iconic statues, transforming them into fundraisers for the RHS’s campaign to reintroduce schoolchildren to gardening. The show opens to the public on Tuesday, running through Saturday, May 23.
The decision marks a sharp pivot from the RHS’s 2006 stance, when gnomes were barred for allegedly undermining the show’s “serious horticultural reputation.” This year’s event, however, embraces whimsy as a tool for education, with proceeds from the painted gnomes supporting the RHS Campaign for School Gardening, which has reached over 6,000 schools nationwide.
Key Points
- ✅ Gnome ban lifted after 19 years for Chelsea Flower Show 2025
- ⚡ Celebrities including Alan Titchmarsh and Dame Mary Berry have already painted gnomes
- 💡 Proceeds go to RHS school gardening initiatives
Each gnome was stripped of its traditional red hat and blue trousers before receiving a bespoke makeover. The RHS invited 50 artists—ranging from Michelin-starred chefs to Olympic athletes—to participate, with each piece expected to fetch between £500 and £5,000 at auction. Beckham’s contribution, rumored to depict a gnome in a football kit, has already sparked bidding wars among collectors.
| Artist | Gnome Theme | Estimated Bid |
|---|---|---|
| Alan Titchmarsh | Vintage gardener with wheelbarrow | £1,200–£1,800 |
| Dame Mary Berry | Baking-themed gnome holding a pie | £900–£1,500 |
| David Beckham | Football goalkeeper gnome | £2,000–£3,500 |
Organizers insist the gnome revival is not a gimmick but a calculated effort to engage younger audiences. “We’re not asking people to plant gnomes in their gardens,” said RHS chief executive Clare Matterson. “We’re asking them to plant the idea that gardening belongs to everyone—regardless of age or background.” The campaign has already seen a 22% increase in school garden registrations since the announcement in March.
📋 By The Numbers
- 6,000+ — UK schools participating in the RHS Campaign for School Gardening
- 22% — Rise in new school garden registrations since the gnome initiative launched
Critics, however, question whether the stunt risks trivializing horticulture. “Gardening is about patience, science, and stewardship,” said landscape designer Tom Stuart-Smith. “A gnome is a cartoon. It doesn’t teach a child how to grow a tomato.” The RHS counters that the gnomes serve as a gateway, with each sale accompanied by a free seed packet and a QR code linking to lesson plans.
💡 Pro Tip
If you’re attending the Chelsea Flower Show, arrive at opening time on Tuesday to avoid crowds around the gnome exhibition. The painted statues will be displayed in the Great Pavilion, near the entrance—perfect for a quick photo before the rush.
The initiative has also drawn international attention. French garden designer Louis Benech, known for his work at Versailles, called the gnome project “brilliant marketing” and suggested France might adopt a similar approach for its own floral festivals. In the U.S., the Philadelphia Flower Show has already reached out to the RHS for collaboration details.
- Opening Day — Tuesday, May 20: First public view of painted gnomes
- Auction Launch — Thursday, May 22: Silent auction begins with bids accepted online and in person
- Final Bidding — Saturday, May 24: Winners announced at the show’s closing ceremony
All funds raised will support the RHS’s goal of creating 1,000 new school gardens by 2027. Whether the gnomes charm the public or merely amuse remains to be seen—but one thing is certain: they’ve already made the Chelsea Flower Show the talk of the gardening world.