Ex-footballer to decorate gnome for annual event after organisers lift ban on the ornaments dating back to 1927
Rare roses and stunning irises are usually among the most coveted items at the Chelsea flower show. But this year, the star attraction might be pink, sequined – and decorated by David Beckham.
The former England football captain is co-designing a garden at the May event with King Charles and as part of that effort he has been given a garden gnome to paint. It will be auctioned off for charity.
Such a stunt would not have been possible in previous years: garden gnomes have been frowned upon since 1927, deemed “tacky” and not in keeping with the high-end aspirations of the event.
This year, the show has made a one-off decision to lift the ban to raise funds for the Royal Horticultural Society’s campaign for school gardening, an initiative to get children involved in horticulture.
