Chelsea Flower Show 2015: an etiquette guide to the RHS floral spectacular

Garden enthusiasts from far and wide descend on the highly anticipated RHS Chelsea Flower Show this week. One of the nation’s best-loved horticultural shows, it is the garden event of The Season. As such, there is an etiquette attached – albeit, an unwritten one...

Whilst no one will turn you away for wearing jeans or advise you to cover your shoulders, if you want to be part of the club, there is an unofficial dress code to observe. Lady Celestria Noel, expert on The Season and consultant to Debrett’s, says women should favour (preferably floral) day dresses over trousers, and men should wear a jacket and tie – ‘but not everyone does’. Absolute no-nos are huge view-blocking hats (it is not Ascot) and garish outfits that detract from the gardens. Flats over heels are advisable – it’s a day of walking after all.

Drinking before midday is not only allowed, it’s expected

‘All Season events are really an excuse for daytime midweek drinking,’ says Lady Celestria, ‘and the flower show is no exception’. Indeed last year, more visitors were spotted drinking Champagne and Pimms at 11 o’clock than they were tea and coffee. The trick is not to drink too much…

No one likes a know-it-all

It might be tempting to show off your horticultural knowledge by finally putting to good use all those years listening to BBC Radio 4’s Gardeners’ Question Time, but don’t. Showing off loudly with Latin plant names is unadvisable, says Lady Celestria. ‘The modest elderly couple standing next to you, are probably fellows of the RHS – and may well have had plants named after them.’

Wait your turn

It is a social faux pas of the highest order to shove people out of the way to get to a garden. No one barges at Chelsea.

Take your time

There is a lot to see and often a day isn’t long enough. But if that’s all the time you’ve got, use it wisely. Plan which gardens you want to see first and allow ample time to see them. Then, with the remainder of your visit, wander freely at will. Trying to rush round and see everything is stressful and unnecessary – you’ll end up feeling dizzy and have to sit down.

Selfies aren’t banned – but they should be

Anyone who thinks photographs of themselves should take precedence over those of the gardens, have probably confused actual sticks with selfie sticks, and arrived at Chelsea by mistake. Politely point them to the exit.

‘Manners makyth man’

‘Thank you’, ‘please’, ‘after you’ – these words are top of RHS Chelsea’s vocabulary. General manners are key at this event and one must be mindful of that at all times – especially when offering an opinion. For example, never compare gold medal winning show gardens unfavorably with your own garden, warns Lady Celestria. ‘Praise only and save criticism till you get home.’ Very English, very apt.

Follow Edwina Langley on Twitter @EdwinaLangley

Lady Celestria Noel is a consultant to Debrett’s and joint editor of Debrett's Handbook; debretts.com