Chelsea Flower Show 2018 tickets and dates: everything you need to know

If you hadn't noticed, London is looking supremely floral of late. It's in good time too, because the Chelsea Flower Show is about to take over the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

10 show gardens and 16 smaller gardens are on the menu for this year's show, with plots inspired by such things as the Western Cape of South Africa, the Yorkshire Dales and the Chinese City of Wuhan.

James Basoon's gorgeous M&G garden took home the prize last year for its celebration of the principles of ecological sustainability. Featuring unusual plants from the likes of the Euphorbia melitensis (Maltese spurge), Salsola melitensis (Maltese salt tree) and Limonium melitense (Maltese sea lavender), the garden showed off just how diverse Malta's different ecosystems actually are.

For the 2018 exhibition, expect offerings from botanical landscape powerhouses Sarah Price, Tom Massey. Jonathan Snow and Mark Gregory. In short, we cannot wait for the winner to be announced.

If you're planning on going, here's all the key details you need to know:

When and where is it taking place?

From May 22 to May 26 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

What time do the show gardens open?

Tuesday to Friday (22-26 May) from 8am to 8pm and Saturday (May 26) from 8am to 5.30pm

What's the easiest way to get there?

By tube to Sloane Square station on the District and Circle lines. The Hospital is an easy 10 minute walk.

If you're travelling via bus, routes 11,137, 211, 360,170, 44 and the 452 will drop you off just outside the hospital.

For those getting in by rail, London Victoria is the closet mainline station to the event. From there, expect a twenty to thirty minute walk depending on your pace.

Is there a shuttle bus this year?

Of course! TfL will be running a special shuttle bus (the 811) that will depart from Victoria Station on Buckingham Palace Road. The bus runs every 10 to fifteen minutes from bus stop Z5. Tickets for the bus cost £4 for a single and £6 for a return.

Final question. What's the best day to go?

The earlier, the better. Sadly, the first two days of the show are open to RHS members only. If you're jealous with envy, you can always become a member just before it takes place for a mere £45.77 a year. The added benefit here is that it won't be heaving with tourists.

If you can't manage to get in before everyone else does, our advice is simple: get there super early.

The Chelsea Flower Show takes place from May 22 to May 23 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, Royal Hospital Road. Book tickets here.