You don't have to be green-fingered to have heard of the Chelsea Flower Show.

NIGEL JARRETT introduces this year's event and visits two Gwent exhibitors who will be making their marks there - again NOTHING in the gardener's world quite matches the sights and scents of the Chelsea Flower Show.

Many exhibitors from Gwent have made the annual trek to London, working non-stop to make an impression in a place where everyone else is doing the same. And tens of thousands have visited just for the joy of being inspired.

Later this month, the grounds of the Royal Hospital will rainbow into bloom with some of the finest collections of flowers in the world.

Designer show gardens will delight and intrigue and smaller courtyard and city gardens will suggest inventive ways of converting an unpromising plot.

Chelsea's Great Pavilion will house thousands of fabulous flowers, including some never seen before.

The Royal Horticultural Society offers these tips for making the most of a great day out: l Arrive early to enjoy the show before the visitor numbers peak - doors open at 8am l Buy a show catalogue (£5) to plan your day.

l When the Main Avenue and Rock Garden Bank are congested, head into the Great Pavilion, or to Western Avenue and Northern Road, which has recently been widened and now includes show and small gardens.

l Pre-book a table for lunch in one of the restaurants, such as the Rock Bank. Call 020 7821 3402 during office hours.

l Head for the catering area in the northwest corner of the site by Creek Gate. This food court area is new for this year and will serve a range of hot and cold meals from baguettes to jacket potatoes and ice cream.

l The toilets in Western Avenue are also likely to have shorter queues. Limited parking is available on a first come, first served basis in Battersea Park from Tuesday, May 24 to Saturday, May 28.

A shuttle bus service will be operating between the showground and the car park, from 7am to 9pm each day (7pm on Saturday).

Parking costs £18 per day for cars ( £10 after 3pm) and £10 for motorbikes.

Show organisers have agreed a special offer with the Crown Plaza Hotel in St James. This includes one night's accommodation and two tickets to the show.

Tickets from the RHS on 020 7834 4338, information on 020 7649 1885. On the internet, tap in Chelsea flower show 2005. The show runs from May 24 to 28.