1.
GV PAN OVER Crowds at show
0.11

2.
CU Azalia Gardens (2 shots)
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3.
GV Crowds look at rock garden with waterfall. (2 shots)
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4.
SV People looking at flowers
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5.
SV PAN Azalias and roses
1.09

6.
CU INT Large chrysanthemums (2 shots)
1.09

7.
SV EXT Old man taking a rest
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Initials BJB/2307 BJB/2322



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: The annual English horticultural miracle, the Chelsea Flower Show, opens to the public on Wednesday (May 21) as resplendent as ever.

The traditional show, one of the most famous of its kind in the world, offers a chance, by using clever forcing and retarding, to see at close quarters almost every plant, tree and shrub that flowers in British gardens between spring and autumn.

As usual the star Chelsea plant - the rhododendrons - made a riotous bank of colour.

One Tuesday (May 20) - viewing day for the fellows of the Royal Horticultural Society, as the subscribing members are still called - the sun shone on a perfect spring day.

But there was still an Economic chill in the air. Rising food prices and the drive to self-sufficiency have resulted in a greater emphasis on green houses and devices for maintaining them easily. And vegetables and fruit make a stronger appearance among the blooms than ever before at the Chelsea Flower Show.

One of the outdoor gardens is designed to show samples of vegetables that can be grown in even a small-town garden.

This year's Chelsea show is the 54th in the series to be held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. Last year more than 150,000 visitors came to see the blooms.