Five best things to see in the Great Pavilion at the Chelsea Flower Show
The show gardens often grab the headlines, but the Great Pavilion at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show is always full of wonders. Country Life's gardens editor Tiffany Daneff picks out five of her favourite things from inside the marquee at the world's greatest flower show.


The displays at the 2025 Chelsea Flower Show are humming with happy plants and visitors who wisely escape the heat of the sun and the crowds around the show gardens on Main Avenue to find respite under the high roof of the Great Pavilion.
The best way through is simply to take your time and wander as you will and, as you do, look out for the ever inventive colour-themed heirloom cauliflowers, cabbages and peas at She Grows Veg (Stand 54).
She Grows Veg in the Great Pavilion.
As for where to start? How about the jaw-dropping display from The Cape Flora of South Africa (76) with their mountain of proteas and leptospermums looking even more brilliant than ever — which is saying something.
Once you've seen those, here's my pick of the things not to miss in the tent at Chelsea this year. One word of warning, though: trying to locate certain stands on the map can be done.... but often ends up with walking in circles. That said, it's hard to imagine a more pleasant place to get a little bit lost.
Roses at David Austin and Peter Beales
Both Peter Beales (28) and David Austin’s (72) stands are brimming with fully flowering roses, so exuberant that you will smell their fragrance some way away. There is no better way to compare varieties and ask the experts for what will do best in your garden.
David Ausin Roses in the Great Pavilion features a circular walking route, with the King Charles III rose display in the centre.
Peter Beales Roses have a towering display.
GreenJJam Nurseries
GreenJJam Nurseries (48) have again brought a stop-and-look-at-me stand of white flowered plants that include Eleagnus ‘Quicksilver’ and Cornus controversa ‘Variegata’ that should persuade anyone who turns up their noses at variegated plants to think again. Smaller treats include the white Dianthus arenarius and the useful Geranium cantabrigiense ‘Biokovo’.
GreenJJam Nurseries in the Great Pavilion.
Apples and pears at Frank P Matthews
Frank P Matthews (75) arrive for their first ever Chelsea with a display of ornamental Malus as well as trained apples and pears. Look out for the Pyrus communis ‘Conference’ whose limbs have been trained into informal loops in the French method of arcure lepage.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Apple blossom never looked so beautiful.
The dramatically deep ruby upright tree in the centre of the display is the only one of its kind. Simply named Malus No 4, it will surely be coming to a garden near you some day soon.
Malus No 4 by Frank P Matthews made its debut at Chelsea.
Raymond Evison Clematis
With starry petals bigger and bloomier than they have any right to be, the Guernsey-based Raymond Evison Clematis (96) nursery have surpassed themselves.
'Bigger and bloomier than they have any right to be': Raymond Evison Clematis.
Kells Bay trees and ferns
The Kells Bay Gardens nursery of County Kerry (30) have created an outstanding display of tree and other ferns with a path through the middle.
Designed by Billy Alexander this is the biggest stand they have made to date and includes recreations of a primeval forest and bog garden. A must for fern lovers — and indeed everyone.
The towering ferns of Kells Bay.
To celebrate Country Life's return to the Chelsea Flower Show, we're offering up to 40% off subscriptions to Country Life Magazine. It's our best offer ever; available until June 30.
Previously the Editor of GardenLife, Tiffany has also written and ghostwritten several books. She launched The Telegraph gardening section and was editor of IntoGardens magazine. She has chaired talks and in conversations with leading garden designers. She gardens in a wind-swept frost pocket in Northamptonshire and is learning not to mind — too much — about sharing her plot with the resident rabbits and moles.
-
‘‘In the silence, it is the most perfect blue I have ever seen. If my goggles weren’t already overflowing with water I might even weep’: Learning to freedive on the sparkling French Riviera with a five-time World Champion
Five-time freediving World Champion Arthur Guérin-Boëri calls the serene waters of Cap-Ferrat his office. Now, one storied hotel is offering guests a chance to take a deep breath and jump into the deep unknown with him.
-
The Hollywood garden designers who turned their hand to a magical corner of Somerset
Caisson House's fifteen abandoned locks were part of the draw for Amanda and Phil Honey, who have created this astonishing garden in the grounds of the former headquarters of the Somersetshire Coal Canal Company just outside Bath. Caroline Donald discovers more; photography by Jason Ingram.
-
The Hollywood garden designers who turned their hand to a magical corner of Somerset
Caisson House's fifteen abandoned locks were part of the draw for Amanda and Phil Honey, who have created this astonishing garden in the grounds of the former headquarters of the Somersetshire Coal Canal Company just outside Bath. Caroline Donald discovers more; photography by Jason Ingram.
-
The 'Rose Labyrinth' of Coughton Court, where 200 varieties come together in this world-renowned garden in Warwickshire
Val Bourne finds the award-winning roses flourishing at Coughton Court in Warwickshire, where the historic garden is now in the hands of the latest in many generations of the same family. Photography by Clive Nichols.
-
'None of this would be here had the tithe barn not burned down that night’: How the terrifying destruction of a medieval landmark sparked the creation of the magnificent gardens of Bledlow Manor
After inheriting the Bledlow Manor in 2018, Lord Carrington has been devoted to the thoughtful renewal and replanting of this historic Buckinghamshire garden. Tiffany Daneff reports, with photography by Clive Nichols.
-
'The whole house shook. Everything was white. For four months, it felt as if we were on Mars': The story behind one of Hampshire's most breathtaking gardens
When Kim Wilkie sculpted a tiered grass amphitheatre behind this 17th-century house, the garden finally settled into place, as Non Morris discovers.
-
Myddleton House: The place that 'will help you learn what true gardening is' is open to everyone, and just 30 minutes from central London
E. A. Bowles created a horticultural playground in the gardens of Myddleton House that was years ahead of its time, and continues to influence even today. Isabel Bannerman takes a look.
-
Wakehurst: 500 years of history, 2.4 billion seeds, 500 acres of planting, and scientists who might just save us all
Charles Quest-Ritson takes a look at the amazing work that's been done to update Wakehurst, Kew's trailblazing outpost in Sussex.
-
A dozen slices of al fresco inspiration from the best designers in Britain
Amelia Thorpe shares her pick of the most beautiful outdoor furniture and accessories to help you make the most of summer.
-
'Victorian magnificence skilfully simplified and distilled': A peek at the restoration of Somerleyton Hall gardens
Recent works have retained the former theatrical splendours of these gardens near Lowestoft, Suffolk, finds Tilly Ware.