Sentebale Garden dedicated to Prince Harrys charity. Image: RHS org click for link

Prince Harry has visited this year’s Chelsea Flower Show, ahead of the opening to the public tomorrow.

Horticulturalists from around the world are displaying their designs at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea, London.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is urging householders to buck the trend by growing more plants after organisers say nearly a quarter of the UK’s front gardens are now paved over.

It comes after a survey for the RHS showed that 24% of front gardens are now entirely paved, concreted or gravelled.

More than a quarter, 28% of the 1,492 people polled, said there was no greenery at all in their front gardens.

RHS principal horticultural adviser Leigh Hunt said:

All gardens are important – vegetation provides so many benefits, preventing flooding, providing homes for wildlife, keeping cities cool in summer, insulating homes in winter.

Among the gardens being exhibited  is one created for Sentebale, the charity co-founded by Prince Harry which helps children in Lesotho.

The prince said the garden was ‘everything that I could have wished for.’

Designer Matt Keightley created a southern-African theme for the Sentebale charity.

Last year he designed a garden for Help the Heroes.

He said:

It is such a privilege being part of the show.

It was last year, and nothing has changed in that respect. I’m hoping the Queen will like it – that would be the icing on the cake.

Other Gardens on Show this year

Beauty of Islam Garden. Image: RHS Org click for link

Beyond Our Borders Garden. Image: RHS Org click for link

165,000 people are expected to visit the show over five days.

People on twitter have aired their excitement for this year’s event:

To view all the gardens at the Chelsea Flower show this year click this link to the RHS website.