As the most prestigious horticultural event in the world, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has long been a source of inspiration for gardening enthusiasts and floral fanatics alike. Plants and flowers were a popular stitching subject in the Victorian era, which is reflected in many Elizabeth Bradley kits as a homage to our British heritage. 

While exhibiting at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the first time in 2016, our head designer, Vernon Kirk, found that the influence of the show extends far beyond the sowing of seeds. The experience led Vernon to create a series of elegant needlepoint kits that reflected our community’s favourite elements from that year’s show. Read on to learn more about the Chelsea Flower Show-inspired kits and the sources of botanical beauty that brought them to life! 

The Chelsea Eccentric Garden + mini kits

The inaugural kit in the Chelsea Garden Collection is the Chelsea Eccentric Garden, based on Harrods’ 2016 Eccentric Garden. This design includes the whimsical herbaceous perennials, formal topiary, and vibrant potted plants from the garden alongside the magnificent tower and reflecting pool. We also introduced our Chelsea Poppy Mini Kit and Pensioner Mini Kits—The Colonel, The Major, and The Brigadier, following this first show.

The Chelsea Cutting Garden

The Chelsea Cutting Garden Kit captures the charm of the 2017 Colour Cutting Garden, which attracted attendees with its vibrant blooms and coppiced silver birch structures covered in climbing sweet peas. The shed and seating areas featured in this design reflect the welcoming nature of the garden.

The Chelsea Yorkshire Garden

We celebrated the 2018 People’s Choice Winner with our Chelsea Yorkshire Garden Kit. Mauve, purple, and blue meadow flowers cover the canvas, while the rustic vegetable garden and stone cottage add a comforting familiarity to the scene, reminiscent of a classic North England landscape.

The Chelsea Garden Sanctuary

The Mediterranean-style Donkey Sanctuary Garden from the 2019 RHS Chelsea Flower Show led to the creation of our Chelsea Garden Sanctuary Kit. True to the environments these wonderful working animals often encounter, the piece incorporates arid plants, lavender, and pine. 

The Chelsea Artist’s Garden

Like many others in 2020, Vernon Kirk found inspiration at home when the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was held virtually. The Chelsea Artist's Garden draws upon elements of his family’s own Norfolk garden, with flowering perennials, fruits, vegetables, and a spectacular tree at the centre.

The Chelsea Autumn Garden

2021 marked the very first year that the RHS Chelsea Flower Show was held in September, a landmark occasion commemorated by our Chelsea Autumn Garden Kit. A warm colour palette of seasonal blooms gives the canvas a golden glow, and of course, no autumnal piece would be complete without a pumpkin!

The Chelsea Courtyard Garden

Our 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show tribute is the Chelsea Courtyard Garden Kit. This design incorporates elements of small space gardening that covered the Grand Pavilion that year, such as potted perennials, birdhouses, and a refectory table. 

Marvellous mini kits in bloom 

Tens of thousands of fabulous flowers covered nearly 3 acres in 2023–the equivalent of more than 3,200 traditional British gardens! That year, we introduced a series of charming 6” mini kits at the show: Footpath, Watering Can & Trellis, Garden Bench, Rose Arch, Lily of the Valley, and Magnolia. 

Elizabeth Bradley Design is honoured to have developed such an intimate, long-standing relationship with the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. We wish all of this year’s attendees and exhibitors a wonderful show!