What to see at the Chelsea Flower Show

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As human populations place greater pressure on natural spaces, Chelsea displays are about rediscovering the wild says Nosmot Gbadamosi.

This year's Chelsea flower show centers on the health benefits of returning the wild back into our gardens. The show, held by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), attracts many celebrity visitors including the Queen along with other members of the Royal family. It has taken place every year since 1913, with a brief hiatus during the two world wars.

Gardens create stunning rainbow displays with their flowers like this one made with colorful chrysanthemums at Chelsea Flower Show in London. /CGTN Photo by Nosmot Gbadamosi

A floral display at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. The event generates millions of U.S. dollars for sponsors and designers alike. /CGTN Photo by Nosmot Gbadamosi

Floral displays at the Chelsea Flower Show which have been held every year in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London since 1913, apart from during the two world wars. /CGTN Photo by Nosmot Gbadamosi

Gardeners create stunning rainbow displays with their flowers at Chelsea Flower Show in London. More than 157,000 visitors flock to see the works of art over five days in May. /CGTN Photo by Nosmot Gbadamosi

Crafted woodland animals at the Chelsea Flower Show in London. Breathing new life into urban spaces - this year's show is celebrating the natural world. /CGTN Photo by Nosmot Gbadamosi

Lupins are seen on display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show at the Royal Hospital Chelsea in London. /Reuters Photo

More than 157,000 visitors flock into the surroundings of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in west London to see around 500 exhibits showcasing new gardening trends.

Those visiting this year's show will notice the increasing use of wild plants and herbs under the theme of "rewilding" – essentially letting nature take its course without being too controlling.

Nowhere is this more apparent than the great showpiece garden co-designed by Princess Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visits her garden at Chelsea Flower Show in London. /Reuters Photo

A royal garden

The Back to Nature Garden "inspires families, kids and communities to get outside, enjoy nature and the outdoors, and spend quality time together," the duchess said in a statement.

Her involvement in the project was first announced in January, and her woodland wilderness garden has been designed with children in mind.

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge and the Duchess have three children, Princes George and Louis and Princess Charlotte, who visited the garden on Monday ahead of its opening.

Britain's Prince William plays with Prince Louis at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. /Reuters Photo

"The design includes many natural elements that aim to stimulate active play, promoting the benefits of laying the foundations of physical health from a young age," according to the Duchess.

It features a high platform tree house inspired by a "bird or animal nest," a swing seat, den and hollow log for children to climb through.

"There are many sensory elements to help children to learn," says RHS Director General Sue Briggs. "Getting back to nature has been shown to be good for developing creativity, increasing physical activity and reducing stress."

Designers Andrée Davies and Adam White, who co-created the garden with the Duchess, have included plants that provide nesting sites for birds, and cover for other animals to find a home in the garden.

Show garden highlights

In the show gardens, designer Andrew Duff shows how a sustainable woodland forest can be created in an urban environment. In the Savills and David Harber Garden, Duff has used greenery known to remove harmful pollutants from the atmosphere. Roughly 1,000 perennial plants and 18 mature trees are featured.

"Our environmental message is about planting plants that absorb maximum amounts of pollution," says Duff. "We've chosen trees that absorb 33 percent more pollution than any other."

Designer Andrew Duff (L) and sculptor David Harber in their garden at Chelsea. /Andrew Duff Photo

In Andrew Sturgeon's M&G garden, young trees, ferns and jewel-like flowers colonize the woodland landscape to highlight regeneration.

"It's important to prove to people that you can go out there, plant things and improve things again," explains Sturgeon.

"Everyone has this sense that things are going wrong but you can do something about it."

Globally, thousands of "back to nature" projects are creating new wild habitats. In Scotland, landowners are helping to re-establish the Great Caledonian forest, lost over centuries to logging and sheep grazing. In the United States, wetland restoration has generated 126,111 jobs.

Away from its themes around conservation, a huge amount of money is spent on Chelsea displays, averaging 250,000 U.S. dollars with some gardens exceeding 600,000 U.S. dollars. At the heart of it, the Chelsea flower show is a competition and only one garden gets to take home the coveted accolade of "best show garden." For the runners up, there is comfort in gold, silver-gilt, silver and bronze medals for gardens that manage to dazzle the eye of RHS judges.

Chelsea Flower Show runs from 21 to 25 May.