Former F1 racing driver Damon Hill arrives in a psychedelic Mini
The lucky few and a host of celebrities get a sneak preview of the innovative, imaginative and at times downright bizarre Chelsea Flower Show, the biggest event in the gardening calendar.
Health and safety must have been having kittens.
On stand 22 a pair of ballet dancers were reaching the climax of their act.
In his tight grey leotard the man swung his partner on to his shoulders.
He then struck a heroic pose, with one hand on her and another on a high-powered strimmer.
She modestly clutched a pair of secateurs.
To the relief of onlookers, her blades were covered and his strimmer was not plugged in.
Theirs was just one of the 300 or so exhibiting stalls selling gardening equipment. You can buy everything from dancing wicker hares to top-of-the-range mulchers.
Photographers stalked the main avenues. The lucky ones spotted Brian May and Felicity Kendal, Michael Palin and Melinda Messenger.
Blue smoke
Then, while the horticultural hoofers were taking a break, a Mini came rattling down a path close by.
Take a tour the Chelsea Flower Show
It was painted in psychedelic colours and belched blue smoke.
The crowds parted nervously.
It stalled, then reversed onto the pavement by one of the displays.
Photographers and camera crews jostled for position.
Then out of the driver's side stepped former F1 racing driver Damon Hill. His passenger was Ringo Starr.
They had come to pay tribute to one of the main show gardens.
Bubbling up
It is called From Life to Life, A Garden for George.
It has been created in memory of former Beatle George Harrison by his widow Olivia and her friend Yvonne Innes.
It is a story of the musician's life. At one end of the plot there is a vegetable patch from his post-war beginnings. A psychedelic path then leads through shrubs to a peaceful pagoda at the far end.
The garden was created in memory of former Beatle George Harrison
And of course there is a water feature, as there is in almost every one of the show gardens.
Belching from statues, showering from a steel ceiling or bubbling up from below.
Show organisers had to dig their own borehole to provide enough water.
But it's not just the gardens that need watering. So did the people who flocked to today's preview.
The hospitality tents were kept busy. Over the week, organisers expect visitors to drink more than 5,000 bottles of champagne.
Hopefully, none of that will be consumed by the performers at stand 22.
After a brief lunch break, the dancers were back - him grabbing the strimmer, her gazing longingly at her secateurs.
As the professionals show off their talents at the 2008 Chelsea Flower Show, we want you to send us photos of your garden.
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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