Our specialist Craft Centre is hosting two brand new sewing classes for those interested in learning a new skill on Saturday, June 8. The morning workshop will take place from 10.30am until 1pm and the afternoon session will take place from 2pm until 4.30pm.

People will have the opportunity to learn how to make a beautiful 'no zip cushion' using our new sewing machines. The classes are perfect for anybody wanting to learn basic sewing skills.

The workshops will be led by Mary-Jane Huggins, who has a strong interest in sewing and is a designer and dressmaker, as well as a qualified teacher.

Crafters will need two 18 by 22 inch cuts of fabric and some optional trimmings for the
sewing classes. We have a wide range of fabrics available here, which can be purchased to make the cushion.

The workshops cost £16 per person. Early booking is advised as places are limited to eight people.

Those who wish to attend one of the sessions can book a place now by calling us on 01823 412381.

On Tuesday, June 4th you're invited to join our special Gardeners' Group for free talks, specialist speakers and exclusive offers and promotions.

We will meet in the Pondside Café at 11am on the first Tuesday of each month starting in June.

The free first talk will be taken by an experienced member of our own Plant Team and will last for approximately 45 minutes. There will be an opportunity to ask questions afterwards.

The first 50 people to attend the first talk will be offered the chance to take home a free one litre shrub from our starter range worth £3.99.

Future talks will be taken by outside experts including those from nurseries and our other key suppliers. If you would like to find out more, please ask at reception or give us a call.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show was established in 1913 on the grounds of theRoyalHospital,Chelsea. It is now hailed as the catwalk of the gardening world.

• The show has grown from 244 exhibitors in 1913 to more than 500 today. It attracts 161,000 visitors each year and brings the best of world horticulture to the heart ofLondon.
• Attendees: It is open from 21 until 22 May to RHS members only and from 23 until 25 May to RHS members and non-members.
• Time: 21 - 24 May 8am-8pm 25 May 8am-5.30pm (sell off starts at 4pm).
• Venue:RoyalHospital,Chelsea,London.
• To book tickets: 0844 338 7546 or www.rhs.org.uk/chelsea.

Ticket prices range from £22 to £65. Tickets must be booked in advance. A limited number of tickets may still be available.

Queen Mary with group at Chelsea Flower Show. Date 1913. Credit, RHS Lindley Library.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show started life as the RHS Great Spring Show, which had outgrown other venues and as a result moved to theRoya lHospita lgrounds,Chelseain 1913.

Back then there were just 17 show gardens including paved, formal and rock versions. Shrubs were central to all the displays as they were highly fashionable then, with rhododendrons being the trendiest.

There were hundreds of floral displays, a marquee full to bursting with new plant introductions grown at home or found abroad and the latest in gardening equipment.

The Edwardians delighted over seeing the next best spades, glasshouses, mowers and gloves and thoroughly enjoyed viewing the 255 exhibitors, including those from country houses and their head gardeners. To make things quintessentially British the event included musical accompaniment by a brass band.

In 1915 and 1916, the war intervened, but the show returned in 1919 and was bigger and better. In the 1930s, as in recent years, an economic downturn brought more veggies and fruit to the show. Sadly there was another gap for the Second World War, but since then it's been business as usual every year.

The centerpiece of the show in the 1950s was the world's largest tent, the 3.5 acre Great Marquee. It took 20 men 20 days to put up. In 2000, it was replaced with the Great Pavilion, which gave more space and light for the growing number of stunning displays.

Once people get the Chelse abug they don't seem to want to stay away. Some exhibitors have attended for more than six decades.

Queen Alexandra at the opening of the Chelsea Show. Credit, RHS Lindley Library.

It has always been a favourite of the Royals. The 1913 show was attended by Queen Alexandra.

The Queen has rarely missed a year. She first attended as Princess Elizabeth in 1947. Prince Philip takes an interest in the machinery and The Prince of Wales, who is a keen gardener, has helped design two gardens and Prince Harry's African charity Sentebale has entered a garden this year.

It is also a firm favourite with the nation's celebrities and stars, many of whom are keen gardeners. Chelsea Flower Show is now one of the world's most famous and glittering gardening events ever.

The 2013 show will include 15 big show gardens, 11 fresh gardens and eight artisan gardens, which are centenary gardens looking at changing style.

We're proud to say many of our suppliers exhibit at Chelsea and we're lucky enough to stock their new plants and take orders for them after the event.

Hillier Nurseries, whose plants we stock, has always had a display in the middle of the Great Pavilion, surrounding the Royal Hospital's obelisk, and to date it has won 67 consecutive gold medals.

 Cercis canadensis 'RubyFalls'

This year it is presenting Cercis canadensis 'RubyFalls', which is new to the UK this year. Bred by Dr Dennis Werner of North Carolina State University, 'RubyFalls' is the only purple-leaved weeping Cerciscultivar. This deciduous plant bears bright purple/pink pea-like flowers in the spring before the emergence of heart-shaped leaves, which are a dark burgundy red and gradually becoming greener in appearance through the summer. Elegant, pedulous habit. Fully hardy down to -26°C and will grow in well-drained soils of average pH. Height from 1.2 metres, making it suitable for small gardens and large containers. Launched in the US in 2010 but not available in Europe until now.

 Rosa Carolyn Knight ('Austurner')

Another of our suppliers, the world famous David Austin Roses®, is launching four new roses at the show including: Rosa Carolyn Knight ('Austurner'). It is a sport of the English Leander hybrid Summer Song ('Austango'), which had burnt orange blooms. The large, double, cup-shaped flowers on Carolyn Knight are soft gold in colour, while the buds are apricot pink. Growth is vigorous, upright and almost thornless, suitable for the back of the border. Fragrance is complex and varied, hints of honey, myrrh, almond and blackcurrant. It was named after a former helper at the nursery who, recently passed away. Height: 4ft. Spread: 3ft.

Rosa The Lady Gardener ('Ausbrass')

Rosa The Lady Gardener ('Ausbrass'), which is an unusual Old English Rose hybrid with 4in, rosette-shaped, apricot flowers. Suitable for general garden use, repeat flowering and good resistance to disease. Blooms stand up well to rain and have a fragrance of tea with hints of cedar wood and vanilla. Medium green foliage. Height: 3-4ft. Spread: 21⁄2ft.

Rosa The Albrighton Rambler ('Ausmobile')

Rosa The Albrighton Rambler ('Ausmobile'), which is a repeat-flowering rambler with small, cup-shaped flowers coloured soft pink that pale to blush. The petals are arranged with a little button eye and blooms are held in large sprays. Very good disease resistance and flowers stand up well to rain. Graceful rambling habit. Fragrance is light, typical of an English musk hybrid. Named after the village of Albrighton where the nursery is located. Height: 8-12ft.

Rosa Thomas à Becket ('Auswinston')

Rosa Thomas à Becket ('Auswinston') resembles an informal shrub rose in habit but is more natural and shrubby in growth and closer to a species rose in character. Blooms are medium-sized, shallow-cupped, informal rosettes that are carmine in colour, petals reflexing as the flowers age. Strong Old Rose fragrance of zesty lemon. Good resistance to disease. Named after request from Canterbury Cathedral. Height: 4ft. Spread: 3ft.