A Just Bloom Florist Guide to the World's Best Flower Shows

Flower shows offer spectacular displays of horticultural artistry, innovative garden design, and botanical beauty. Here's a Just Bloom HK guide to the most prestigious and impressive flower shows around the globe.

Europe

Chelsea Flower Show (London, England)

When: Late May (typically third week) What makes it special: Considered the world's most prestigious flower show, the RHS Chelsea Flower Show has been running since 1913. Held on the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea, it attracts the world's finest garden designers and nurseries. The show gardens are legendary, often featuring cutting-edge design and sustainability concepts. Expect to see everything from avant-garde installations to traditional English cottage gardens.

Highlights: Show gardens, artisan gardens, floral marquee with competition displays, and the Great Pavilion housing specialist nurseries and plant societies.

Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival (London, England)

When: Early July What makes it special: The world's largest annual flower show, set in the stunning grounds of Hampton Court Palace. More relaxed than Chelsea, it's perfect for families and features larger gardens you can actually walk through. The festival emphasizes inspiration for home gardeners with practical designs and plant selections.

Highlights: Conceptual gardens, world gardens showcasing international styles, and extensive shopping opportunities.

Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse, Netherlands)

When: Late March to mid-May What makes it special: While technically a garden rather than a show, Keukenhof is the world's largest bulb flower garden with over 7 million bulbs planted annually. The tulip displays are legendary, featuring more than 800 varieties across 79 acres. It's a living exhibition that changes throughout its eight-week season.

Highlights: Tulip fields, flower shows held inside the pavilions, and spectacular spring bulb combinations.

Floriade (Netherlands)

When: Once every 10 years (next in 2032) What makes it special: The world's largest horticultural expo, held for six months in different Dutch cities. Each edition explores a different theme related to sustainability, green living, and the relationship between people and nature. The 2022 edition in Almere focused on "Growing Green Cities."

Floralies Gantoises (Ghent, Belgium)

When: Every five years (next in 2025) What makes it special: One of Europe's oldest and most spectacular flower shows, dating back to 1808. Held in the vast Flanders Expo, it transforms the space into an immersive floral wonderland with massive installations and themed areas.

Asia

Hong Kong Flower Show

When: March What makes it special: Held in Victoria Park, this show features elaborate themed displays from government departments, businesses, and schools. The centerpiece is always spectacular, with hundreds of thousands of plants creating massive sculptures and landscapes. It's free to attend and draws enormous crowds.

Highlights: The competition among organizations creates wildly creative displays, and the show emphasizes both Western and traditional Chinese floral arrangements.

Chiang Mai Flower Festival (Thailand)

When: First weekend of February What makes it special: Thailand's most important flower festival celebrates the region's temperate flowers. The highlight is a spectacular parade through the city featuring elaborate floats covered in flowers, alongside beauty pageants and garden competitions.

Seoul International Garden Show (South Korea)

When: Various dates What makes it special: Showcases contemporary garden design with a strong emphasis on urban greening and sustainable practices. Korean traditional garden elements blend with modern landscape architecture.

North America

Philadelphia Flower Show (Pennsylvania, USA)

When: Early March What makes it special: America's largest and longest-running flower show, presented by the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society since 1829. Held in the Pennsylvania Convention Center, it features a different theme each year with elaborate landscape installations, competition displays, and cutting-edge garden design. The sheer scale is breathtaking, with entire rooms transformed into immersive garden environments.

Highlights: Major gardens created by top designers, spectacular orchid and bonsai displays, and extensive horticultural competitions.

Canada Blooms (Toronto, Ontario)

When: Mid-March What makes it special: Canada's largest flower and garden show, held at the Enercare Centre. It combines spectacular feature gardens with extensive educational programming, making it both inspirational and practical for home gardeners.

Australia

Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show

When: Late March What makes it special: Held at the Carlton Gardens and Royal Exhibition Building (a UNESCO World Heritage site), this is the Southern Hemisphere's premier horticultural event. The show features both outdoor and indoor displays, with a strong focus on sustainable gardening and native plants suitable for Australian conditions.

Highlights: Grand gardens, balcony and courtyard displays perfect for urban living, and the floral art competition.

Floriade (Canberra, Australia)

When: September to October What makes it special: Not to be confused with the Dutch Floriade, this is Australia's largest spring flower festival, held in Commonwealth Park. Over a million bulbs and annuals create spectacular themed displays celebrating spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

Middle East

Dubai Miracle Garden

When: November to May (seasonal) What makes it special: The world's largest natural flower garden in the middle of the desert, featuring over 150 million flowers. While open throughout the cooler months, it's essentially a living flower show with incredible installations including flower-covered Emirates A380 aircraft, castles, and heart-shaped archways.

Tips for Visiting Flower Shows

Book early: Major shows like Chelsea sell out months in advance. Some offer preview days at premium prices.

Visit at the right time: Opening day features pristine displays but maximum crowds. Mid-show offers a balance, while final days may have wilting flowers but better shopping deals as exhibitors sell plants.

Wear comfortable shoes: You'll be walking for hours on various surfaces.

Bring a shopping bag or cart: Most shows have extensive plant sales, and you'll want to buy.

Check photography rules: Some shows restrict tripods or commercial photography.

Consider membership: Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) membership provides priority booking for UK shows and can pay for itself if you attend multiple events.

Plan for weather: Many shows are partially outdoors. Spring weather can be unpredictable.

Each of these shows offers unique perspectives on the art and science of horticulture, from traditional British garden design to innovative sustainable landscapes. Whether you're a serious gardener seeking inspiration or simply someone who appreciates beauty, these spectacular displays showcase humanity's enduring love affair with flowers and gardens.