Create a medal-worthy garden: thousands of Chelsea Flower Show plants for sale online after show cancelled

Thousands of plants grown for next month’s Chelsea Flower Show are now available to buy online following the cancellation of the event due to coronavirus lockdown​.

While a “virtual” version of the event will go ahead from May 19-23, thousands of plants in peak spring condition that were destined for the show are at risk of being wasted, with many now available to buy from a range of award-winning growers and nurseries.

Spring sales are boomtime for these producers, seeing them through the leaner periods of the year. But right now, rows of healthy plants are sitting there behind locked gates, itching to be planted out into window boxes, pots and borders.

In a bid to encourage gardeners across the country to support small nurseries and garden suppliers, the RHS has a launched an online directory of the award-winning growers who would have been at the show this year but are now taking orders for home delivery.

RHS director general Sue Biggs, said: "The specialist nurseries and growers are the lifeblood of the horticultural industry and their beautiful displays at RHS flower shows are one of the most popular attractions, drawing thousands of visitors every year who leave our shows laden with plants of all varieties.

"We want to continue to support our nurseries during this unimaginably challenging time and make it as easy as possible for our members and show visitors to buy directly from them."

The directory is a verdant feast of hardy climbers, tropical flowers, rare succulents and exquisite orchids. You can also pick up exotic plants, from palm trees and agaves to mature bonsai trees and even Japanese maples.

Visit rhs.org to support specialist growers and add medal-quality displays to your garden this summer.

The Kitchen Garden Plant Centre specialises in all of the herbs you want to have on your windowsill and they are ready to go right now, in glorious condition. Choose from several varieties of mint, thyme, oregano, fennel and tarragon.

These pesticide-free herbs, priced at £3 each, have been grown in peat-free compost and have already reached an established nine-centimetre height, so they can be transferred to planters, garden beds - or can simply brighten up your windowsill.

This small, family nursery, run by husband-and-wife team Neil & Niamh Jones, had secured a spot for the first time in the coveted floral marquee at this year's Chelsea Flower Show.

While their larger show plants have been donated to charities, you can still buy 45 different varieties of herbs and edibles from their hastily set-up website.

"Back in March, we didn't think we would still have a business. We went online five weeks ago and are so grateful for every single order we receive. We've learnt a lot through the process," says Neil, who is hand-packing every order himself.

Allow seven to 10 days for delivery and £8 for packing and handling. Visit kitchengardenplantcentre.co.uk.

With two Chelsea Flower Show medals to its name, Daisy Roots nursery in East Anglia specialises in drought-tolerant perennials and ornamental grasses. Owners Annie Godfrey and Steve Machin have exhibited in the floral marquee since 2012.

At this time of year, the nursery is well stocked with geraniums, irises and alliums.

Bright showstoppers also include Helianthemum ‘Fire Dragon’, priced £5.50. Its fiery-scarlet flowers with bright yellow stamens bloom from late spring to midsummer.

Achilleas are a popular choice, too, with Achillea ‘Pomegranate’ (£5.50) producing bright magenta flowers from summer onwards.

To order, visit daisyroots.com and allow about 10 days for delivery.

Westdale Nurseries in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, specialises in the cultivation of bougainvilleas in a myriad of colours from all over the world.

Run by husband and wife Charles and Patricia Clarke and their children, this Chelsea Flower Show medal-winning nursery has built up more than 200 varieties of bougainvillea - and counting.

Fiesta (red) Orange Glow, Los Banos Beauty (double soft pink) and Princess Mahara (double dark pink /purple) are ready now and will remind you of glorious holidays abroad.

Visit wesetdalenurseries.co.uk to see the full, extensive collection. Allow 10 days for delivery.

A Chelsea Gold winner in 2017, Palms & Exotics specialises in palm trees, banana trees, agaves, yucca, cacti, bamboo and gingers grown right here in the UK.

If you are looking to add a tropical feel to your garden, owner Michelle recommends Trachycarpus palms.

Trachycarpus Wagnerianus is a small-leaf variety, also known as a Miniature Chusan palm. But despite its common name it is far from miniature – given enough time it’s capable of growing up to 30ft tall.

Visit ​palms-exotics.co.uk to order.