When I picked up my press pass for London’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, I was asked, “What are you here to see?” The event runs for five days in the lush, sprawling gardens of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Over 150,000 people will visit its 20 acres to explore the world’s most creative garden designs, new trends in horticulture, and artistic flower arrangements. They’ll also drink nearly 42,000 glasses of Pimm’s.

But this year, my answer isn’t about what I’ll see—it’s about who. No, I’m not looking for royalty at the King’s Foundation Curious Garden. Instead, I’m here for a family just as famous and eagerly awaited at the Chelsea Flower Show: a group of garden gnomes.

2026 marks only the second time since 1927 that these tiny mythical creatures have been allowed into the event. Gnomes were first banned from the exhibition tents, where rules stated that “no statuary or other sundries may be exhibited… either alone, or as part of an exhibit.” Later, they were banned entirely. The rule was last temporarily lifted in 2013 for the RHS Chelsea centenary.

Now, the gnome ban has been relaxed again for a fundraiser supporting RHS’s school gardening campaign. A group of gnomes painted by celebrities like Cate Blanchett, Dame Mary Berry, and Sir Brian May are up for auction. As of now, Berry’s gnome has a bid of $900, May’s is at $3,000, and Blanchett’s is at a cool $400. The auction ends this Sunday, May 24.

Cate Blanchett’s gnome enjoys the drink of the day at Chelsea—a classic Pimm’s.
Photo: Oliver Dixon

Cate Blanchett’s gnome poses with the Kate Moss rose, developed by Norfolk-based Peter Beales Roses.
Photo: Oliver Dixon

“We want people to have fun with their gardening, which is why we’re lifting the gnome ban for these celebrity gnomes,” said RHS director general Clare Matterson. Comedian Bill Bailey, another gnome artist, reminded the gathered press that the name “gnome” comes from the Latin gnomus, meaning “earth dweller.” “The Romans had them as guardians of the garden, to protect against evil spirits. So I think they’ve been unfairly treated,” he said. (For what it’s worth, at Highgrove, the King’s private home in Gloucestershire, the gardens are full of gnomes. One mysterious figurine is said to move positions and locations on its own.)

On Wednesday, Chelsea was in full bloom. Outside the Flower Show grounds, there was a free flower festival with an “Out of this World” theme. I noticed a Saturn made from burnt orange ranunculus, a four-meter floral dragon and Pegasus, and a lavish display of roses framing the Cartier store. Once inside the main show, I picked up my press pass and headed straight for the King’s Garden. A queue snaked around its edge, but the celebrity-painted gnomes were kept in a glass cabinet slightly out of public view, across from an information stand and a stall selling champagne and seafood.

Blanchett’s gnome looked quite stylish, with a bright red ruffled hat, a cobalt-blue face, and a green cape. It seemed to reflect Blanchett’s strong love of color and texture—though she herself has access to Margiela, Louis Vuitton, and Stella McCartney. Earlier this week on the Cannes Film Festival red carpet, she wore a floral gown from Sarah Burton’s fall 2026 show for Givenchy, with fringe details in striking shades of burnt orange and red.

Gnomes designed and painted for Sir David Beckham and King Charles III, along with gnomes painted by Frances Tophill and Alan Titchmarsh, are now up for auction.
Photo: Getty Images

During a brief moment outside the gnome cabinet, Blanchett’s gnome sipped some Pimm’s, met the newly debuted lemon-to-cream rose named after Kate Moss, and enjoyed Sarah Eberle’s garden, created for the Campaign to Protect Rural England, which won best in show.

Inside the garden, I also spotted a nameless gnome with thick gray bangs and a large fly agaric mushroom for a hat, hiding among the plants—a nod to the garden-hopping figure from Highgrove. Elsewhere, in and out of the tents, gnomes as small as a thumb could be seen.I balanced carefully on the shrubs, and a polite line formed for one larger, intricately carved wooden creature. Gnomes had also been painted for Sir David Beckham and the king himself.

I finish the last of my Pimm’s and take one more loop around the gnome cabinet. Some of the figurines are missing—probably, like Blanchett’s, off doing their own press tours and mingling with potential auction buyers. They, too, have to make the most of Chelsea Flower Show—because who knows when they’ll be allowed back?

The gnome enjoys Sarah Eberle’s Campaign to Protect Rural England Garden, which won best in show at Chelsea Flower Show.

Oliver Dixon
Bid on your favorite celebrity gnome as part of the RHS charity auction. The auction closes on Sunday, May 24.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Gnome More Rules A Day at the Chelsea Flower Show with the Unbanned Garden Gnomes

Beginner Questions

Q What exactly is Gnome More Rules
A Its a playful fictional scenario where garden gnomes who have been banned from the Chelsea Flower Show for years are finally allowed to attend for one day The story explores how they cause chaos joy and rulebreaking fun in the worlds most prestigious gardening event

Q Why were garden gnomes banned from the Chelsea Flower Show in real life
A The shows organizers felt gnomes were tacky kitsch and lowered the high standard of horticulture They were seen as a distraction from the serious art of gardening

Q What happens in the Unbanned scenario
A The gnomes sneak in hide among the prizewinning plants and start improving the displays They paint flowers rearrange pebbles and generally turn the orderly show into a whimsical mischievous garden party

Q Is this a real event I can visit
A No its a fictional concept or a fun story idea not an actual exhibit at the Chelsea Flower Show Its a thought experiment about breaking the rules for creativity

Q Who are the Unbanned Garden Gnomes
A They are the classic pointyhatted gnomes youd see in a backyard In this story they represent freedom humor and rebellion against the stuffy rules of highend gardening

Advanced Creative Questions

Q What are the More Rules in the title referring to
A Its ironic The official show has strict rules banning gnomes The More Rules joke is that the gnomes create their own silly rules to replace the boring ones

Q How do the gnomes interact with the real gardeners and judges
A The judges are horrified at first but the gnomes antics often accidentally improve the displays For example a gnome might prune a bush into a funny shape that actually wins a prize for creativity