For the second time in the history of the world’s most famous gardening event, the gnome ban at RHS Chelsea Flower Show will be lifted by the Royal Horticultural Society to raise funds for RHS Campaign for School Gardening.

The RHS is inviting Celebrities to decorate gnomes to feature at the 2026 Show, which will then be auctioned off to raise funds for the next generation of gardeners. The RHS’ flagship Campaign for School Gardening inspires school children to learn through gardening to boost pupils’ wellbeing, skills and environmental awareness.

The initiative will be celebrated in The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden, encouraging everyone to be curious and have fun gardening. The appearance of a gnome or two in the Curious Garden (and elsewhere at the Show!) will reflect and celebrate a tradition at Highgrove Gardens, The King’s residence in Gloucestershire, where a gnome is often to be found in the Stumpery: https://youtu.be/dgocTj25jxc

The RHS and The King’s Foundation are joining forces to create a garden at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show (19 May – 23 May 2026) to encourage the nation to discover the joy of getting curious about gardening and the vital contribution plants make to the health of people, places and planet.

The RHS and The King’s Foundation Curious Garden is designed by horticulturist, author and TV presenter Frances Tophill. Joining Frances on her journey to create the garden are The King’s Foundation Ambassador, Sir David Beckham, and RHS and The King’s Foundation Ambassador, Alan Titchmarsh CBE.

Director General, Clare Matterson, says: “We’ve never needed the joy of gardening, the power of plants for our planet or the peace of simply sitting in a garden, more. That’s why we’ve joined forces with The King’s Foundation to encourage the nation to get curious about gardening, be that as a horticultural career, a hobby, a way to fight the climate crisis, to support wildlife or simply enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of our labours flourish and grow.

“We also want people to be playful with their gardening, which is why we’re lifting the gnome ban for these celebrity gnomes, who will then, by being auctioned off, help us do even more to awaken a curiosity in gardening in school children and support our national Campaign for School Gardening. Gardening in schools increases resilience, builds confidence, encourages curiosity and gives access to nature – it’s a vital resource that every school should have access to.”

The RHS, the UK’s gardening charity, last lifted the gnome ban to celebrate the centenary of RHS Chelsea, the RHS’ biggest fundraiser, and raise funds to get more children gardening in schools.

Celebrities who painted gnomes at the 2013 Show to raise funds for the next generation of gardeners included Sir Elton John, Dame Mary Berry, Lilly Allen and Joanna Lumley.

Celebrities who have already kindly signed up to paint gnomes this year include Cate Blanchett, Dame Mary Berry, Sir Brian May and Baroness Floella Benjamin, the RHS will announce the full 2026 celebrity line up of gnomes in May in the lead up to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.