Those of you worrying about where to park 500 London buses might like to know that Chelsea Flower Show’s 11,775 sq metre big tent (aka the Great Pavilion) has the space to house them. It is a statistic worthy of this eccentric garden show, which is attended by the Queen and launches the English social season. That more chief executives attend Chelsea than any other event on the UK’s social calendar is mainly to do with its proximity to the City, although the 10,000 glasses of champagne served over the five days add to the allure. So, for those who have somehow managed to get tickets to Chelsea 2016, here are some of the delights on offer beyond show gardens and champagne: from the world’s most exclusive garden twine to a shepherd’s hut. There are even some plants, too.

Ostara hanging chair by Myburgh Designs

£9,600

Stephen Myburgh has been making his sculptural metal hanging chairs for almost 20 years. This striking copper cocoon has a bright, lacquered interior that contrasts with the darker, waxed exterior. At 1.2 metres wide, it is large enough for two to relax in. myburghdesigns.com

Shepherd’s hut by Plankbridge

From £22,225

Built on a Victorian-style chassis with large, cast iron wheels, Plankbridge’s shepherds’ huts can be used for all manner of projects, including artists’ studios and holiday homes. Made in Dorset from high-quality materials, including French oak flooring and Farrow & Ball painted interiors, designs can be bespoke. plankbridge.com

Topiary shears by Bradleys the Tannery

£25

Brad Burn’s tannery, in rural Shropshire, has been producing handcrafted gardening tools for 30 years. Perfect for pruning and shaping hedges, these leather-handled topiary shears can be ordered in brown, pink or green, and come with a leather pouch. bradleysthetannery.co.uk

Passiflora Silly Cow from Tynings Climbers

£10 for a two-litre pot

Chelsea gold medallist Tynings Climbers is the holder of four national collections, including Passiflora (passion flower) and jasmine. Its evergreen climber Passiflora Silly Cow is a new cultivar with striking purple flowers that will appear from June until November. tyningsclimbers.co.uk

Twool

£6.95 per spool of 100-metre twine

Made of British wool from the rare-breed sheep Whiteface Dartmoor, Twool’s garden twine is a sustainable alternative to imported jute. Yarn from this ancient breed is said to be especially strong and durable. Available in several different colours. twool.co.uk

Colza Chelsea boots by Le Chameau

£75

Le Chameau has been designing boots since 1927 from its base in Normandy. Its gardening collection includes a rubber Chelsea boot, in a choice of colours formen or women, and a limited-edition floral print in collaboration with Kew Gardens. These boots have a thick sole for support and protection. lechameau.com

Digging spade by Burgon & Ball

£39.95

Made from stainless steel and sustainably sourced ash, this spade is built with a long ergonomic handle and a large blade with foot tread to prevent back and foot strain. It is part of a new collection of tools by Burgon & Ball endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Built to last, it comes with a lifetime guarantee. burgonandball.com

Iris Torus garden sculpture by David Harber

From £29,760

David Harber is launching several new designs this year inspired by the interaction between light, shadow, nature and science. Iris Torus emulates the iris of an eye with a laser-cut, stainless-steel surface, against a choice of colourful painted backgrounds. davidharber.co.uk

Wool compost by Dalefoot

£10.99 per bag (discounts for 12+ bags)

Made on a farm in the valley of Heltondale in the Lake District, Dalefoot’s peat-free wool compost is made from bracken and sheep’s wool. It releases nitrogen slowly into the soil and naturally retains water, making it well suited to plants in dry conditions. dalefootcomposts.co.uk

Hidcote greenhouse by Alitex

£10,250

In 2004, after several years of collaboration, the National Trust approached Alitex to create a collection of aluminium greenhouses for smaller gardens and estates. The classically designed Hidcote is named after Hidcote Manor Garden in Gloucestershire. It is the smallest of Alitex’s National Trust collection, measuring 2.6 metres by 3 metres, but has enough space for one bench and beds on either side. alitex.co.uk

X350R lawn tractor by John Deere

£4,974

Founded in the US in 1837, John Deere is one of the leading makers of commercial and domestic lawnmowers. Among new models launching this year is the X350R ride-on tractor. It has a deep mower deck for cutting longer grass faster and modern, car-style controls. deere.co.uk

Large Canterbury lantern by Jim Lawrence

£435

Featured among Jim Lawrence’s new designs is the large Canterbury lantern, which has been designed and hand-forged in Suffolk, and then finished in antiqued brass. Ideal for patios and courtyard gardens, it is a large design, measuring 42cm wide, 42cm deep and 74cm high. jim-lawrence.co.uk

Specialist plant course by The Plant School

£995

The Plant School’s specialist plant course gives students a practical grounding in plant identification and selection through 10 monthly visits to private gardens and national plant collections. Aimed at those who already have a good grounding in horticulture, tours are hosted by head gardeners and nursery owners. theplantschool.org

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