Gnomes return to chelsea flower show—and they're up for auction
The Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show is known for its breathtaking displays of horticultural artistry, its legions of Pimm’s-sipping attendees, and a certain air of impeccable British tradition. But this year, a decidedly less conventional element has infiltrated the proceedings: garden gnomes. After a decades-long ban, these miniature mythical creatures are back, and they’re proving to be surprisingly valuable.
A history of horticultural exclusion
The exclusion of gnomes from the Chelsea Flower Show is a surprisingly storied affair. Since 1927, the show’s rules have, at various points, explicitly prohibited “statuary or other sundries” from being exhibited, effectively barring the diminutive figures. A brief reprieve came in 2013, for the RHS Chelsea centenary, but the ban was swiftly reinstated. Now, however, a fundraising initiative for the RHS’s school Gardening campaign has led to a temporary lifting of the restriction—and a rather lucrative opportunity.
Twenty celebrity artists, including Cate Blanchett, Dame Mary Berry, and Sir Brian May, have each lent their talents to decorating a gnome, and these whimsical creations are currently up for auction. Berry’s gnome already commands a bid of $900, while May’s has reached a cool $3,000, with Blanchett’s leading the pack at $4,000. The auction concludes this Sunday, May 24th.
Playful gardening and roman roots
“We want people to be playful with their Gardening,” explained RHS director general Clare Matterson, justifying the unusual move. Comedian Bill Bailey, one of the gnome artists, added a touch of historical context, noting that the name “gnome” derives from the Latin gnomus, meaning “earth dweller.” He playfully reminded attendees that the Romans considered gnomes to be garden guardians, protecting against malevolent spirits—a far cry from the often-maligned reputation they’ve acquired over the years. The King, it’s worth noting, is a gnome enthusiast; his private residence at Highgrove is populated by the figures, one of which is rumored to mysteriously relocate itself.
Beyond the spectacle of the Flower Show itself, this year’s event included a free flower festival with an otherworldly theme. One particularly striking display featured a Saturn rendered entirely from burnt orange ranunculus, alongside a four-meter floral dragon and Pegasus. But the real buzz centered on the celebrity gnomes, housed in a glass cabinet near the champagne and seafood stall.
A touch of chic and a nod to highgrove
Cate Blanchett’s gnome, in particular, drew attention. Sporting a scarlet-red ruffled hat, a cobalt-blue face, and a vibrant green cape, it seemed to perfectly embody Blanchett’s signature love of bold color and texture—a sensibility she often translates to her own wardrobe, favoring designers like Margiela, Louis Vuitton, and Stella McCartney. The gnome even managed to enjoy a Pimm’s and a rendezvous with the newly debuted Kate Moss rose, a lemon-to-cream hybrid developed by Norfolk-based Peter Beales Roses.
Elsewhere, a nameless gnome with a distinctive set of gray bangs and a large fly agaric cap peeked out from the foliage of Sarah Eberle’s award-winning garden, a subtle nod to the enigmatic figure at Highgrove. Smaller gnomes, some no bigger than a thimble, perched on shrubs, while a queue formed for a larger, intricately carved wooden gnome. The auction also features gnomes designed by Sir David Beckham and, of course, the King himself.
As I finished my own Pimm’s and circled back to the gnome cabinet, I noticed several figurines were missing—presumably off on their own press tours, vying for the attention of prospective bidders. These diminutive denizens of the garden are making the most of their Chelsea moment, because who knows when they’ll be welcomed back? The bidding war continues, proving that even the most humble garden ornament can command a surprising price—and a considerable amount of attention.