Gardeners urged to carry out bizarre King Charles ritual when planting one item

The turns heads of horticulture enthusiasts and royalty alike with its blossoming displays and exquisite gardens. From May 20 to May 24, the hallowed event is graced by and to soak up an exclusive early glimpse of the floral paradise.

Both keen green-fingered buffs, they're set for a delightful day out given their penchant for pottering in the garden. It's well known that the King, an avid gardener, personally curated the stunning grounds at Highgrove, his pastoral retreat in Gloucestershire.

His Royal duties often include gestures like tree planting – something he must have done hundreds of times. Not just any routine tree planter, the King follows a quirky ritual post-planting, as shared by the: he grabs a sapling's limb, gives it a companionable shake, and sends it best wishes.

READ MORE:

His arboreal affection doesn't stop there; King Charles dedicated an entire arboretum and a forest named Prince George's Wood at Balmoral for his grandson, prompted by the young prince's birth.

Reflecting on the sentimental gesture during a 2021 interview with the , the King mused: "The great thing was that I managed to plant it the same year that my grandson was born, the eldest, George, so I thought I'd call it Prince George's wood."

He continued: "As I get older all I really long for is to plant trees. I hope it will be quite amusing for George, as they grow up, and he grows up."

The late Queen, Charles' mother, was also known for her fondness of the Chelsea Flower Show, and this year marks the third since her passing. Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022.

READ MORE:

In the 2023 event, a variety of Royal tributes showcased at the event, including a life-size topiary display of her pony, Emma, in the Great Pavilion.

In addition, there was an exhibit honouring the Coronation in Dave Green's RHS A Garden Of Royal Reflection and Celebration, designed as a peaceful space featuring some of the Windsor family's preferred plants. The garden utilises a colour scheme of soft pinks and whites to mirror the late Queen's preferences.

This year, as well as in previous years, the garden will include the King's favourites, such as clematis 'Duchess of Cornwall', lupins and geraniums. Highlights will include swathes of camassia, as seen in the meadows in front of Highgrove House, along with a bronze statue of the King.