Chelsea flower show preview

RHS Chelsea kicks off on Monday with press day and I'll be there playing celebrity bingo and gawping at plants. Having been rather disappointed by last year's Houseplant Studios at the show, I have high hopes for this year. Let me tell you about my two must-sees from the information released so far. Leeds based online plant sellers Grow Tropicals have partnered with Gemma Haigh aka The Plant Parlour for their 'Hope After Humanity' studio described as "our interpretation of an abandoned London fashion boutique in the year 2099". Intriguing and edgy? I certainly hope so. 

Charity The Glasshouse will also be recreating their glasshouse at HM prison East Sutton Park, showing how horticultural training can impact the lives of incarcerated women and those reaching the end of their sentence. This sounds inspiring - and something you don't see often at Chelsea. No doubt James Whiting aka @plantsbythere will also put on a good show with his 1970s-inspired display.You can read about the other studios here. 

There's so much going on at Chelsea that it's hard to keep track, but I always take a look at what's in the running for the Chelsea plant of the year - this year it includes the Mangave 'Praying Hands'. I can't decide if I love it or hate it. (A Mangave is a cross between an Agave and a Manfreda, in case you didn't know. It's like an Agave at a drag brunch.) 

Anyway, all will be revealed next week and of course I'll be bringing you a podcast about the show next week so stay tuned for that. In the meantime you can check out my coverage of previous years' shows here.