Cosmos Bipinnatus returns to Chelsea Flower Show
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Last years Chelsea Cosmos display
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HM The Queen talking cosmos at the Chelsea Flower show 2024
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Glass slugs that will form part if the display
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Cosmos Fondant Fancy;
Amateur grower, and National Plant Collection Holder, Jonathan Sheppard is making a return to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show after his debut in 2024, bringing a colourful display of cosmos to wow the crowds.
According to Jonathan Sheppard, “There will be some similarities and of course some differences to my first ever Chelsea exhibit, having been given a bigger display area for 2025. I will continue to focus on sustainability including providing educational material that talks about pesticide free growing, using stored rainwater and being 100% peat free, because these messages are still vitally important.”
“I am a firm believer in the notion that if your plants aren’t being eaten they aren’t part of the eco system. As the RHS is focusing on fun for this years flower show you may see some oversized bees, and even a few “colourful slugs,” the nemesis of many a gardener, hidden within the cosmos if you look hard enough.”
In terms of cultivars, Sheppard is still not certain what will make it to the show.
“Obviously when you are growing an annual you can never be sure exactly what is going to be in flower. It’s not like we can just pick some up off the shelves or know what is going to look great until closer to the show. Everything is very much weather permitting, but with successional sowings for Chelsea and Hampton I wouldn’t be surprised if I will end up starting off over 7,000 plants purely to exhibit. This is the kind of work National Plant Collection holders of annuals put in.”
And will there be any new cultivars?
“Whilst it will be hard to top a personal visit from HM The Queen last year, I can’t wait to hopefully bring a few new cultivars including one we are particularly thrilled with which we trialled towards the end of last year from Thomson and Morgan’s breeding programme calledCosmos Fondant Fancy”
“This is great link between those who love baking cakes and gardening. A slice of beauty without the calories.”
“All things being equal, we hope to enter the cosmos into the Chelsea Plant of the Year competition, and can’t wait to get feedback from members of the public once they see such a great flower that they can grow at home from seed.”