Two visitors take a rest to contemplate the day ahead
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
There are more than 30 gardens to see, including the 12 main show gardens – some of them drawing crowds
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The show offers plenty of opportunities to get a closer look at plants
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Colour and variety abounds in every corner of the gardens
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The show makes a backdrop for a performance drawing on motifs from myth and folklore
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
One of the themes emerging was the use of herbs, wildflowers and plants that used to be known as weeds
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Water features contributed to the sense of calm and wellbeing that many of the garden designers were seeking
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
At £14.50 a glass, Pimm’s was not something to leave unattended
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Chelsea is always a welcoming place for bees, even if they are puppets
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The show is a good place for deep conversations
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The show had its usual allotment of celebrity visitors – including Joanna Lumley, here being shown one of the gardens that won a silver medal
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Taking a break from the hustle and bustle
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Manoj Malde, who designed the RHS and Eastern Eye Garden of Unity, married his partner at the show, in a first for the RHS
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Each year the show has about 170,000 visitors
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Actor Matthew Macfadyen, from Succession, diverts attention from the flowers for a moment
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The flower show has been held for more than 100 years in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, home of Chelsea pensioners – here sharing a laugh with a drag artist
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
The show offers gardeners the chance to get ideas for their own schemes
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
With more than 500 exhibitors, a day at the show can be exhausting
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
No one is too young to take part in the event
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Performers join in the fun
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
There are nurseries, florists and more than 250 shopping stands for anyone wanting to take something home
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Some visitors contributed their own efforts to the floral display
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Others chose to capture the flowers with their cameras
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Straw hats, especially panamas, were a popular choice for the crowds
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Nurseries exhibit shrubs and plants in the Great Pavilion, which covers almost 3 acres
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Many of the gardens had themes of relaxation and restoration – a message taken to heart by some visitors
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
Some of the visitors to Chelsea brought their own flowers – and were keen to show them off
Photograph: Sarah Lee/The Guardian
English (US)