The world's largest flower show runs from June 30 – July 5. Lest you get lost in the glorious gardens on display at Hampton Court, Emma Ashley picks out five places to really stop and smell the roses
The sun is high, the flowers are blooming, and the Royal Horticultural Society is once again ready to present its annual flower show at Hampton Palace Court. This year the show's chosen three themes - Grow, Feast and Inspire - with three corresponding zones to celebrate these aspects of gardening.
- Grow - Get tips from RHS experts, as well as plant specialists at their stands, while browsing award-winning flower nurseries and historical gardens.
- Feast - Enjoy fresh garden produce, cookery displays, and fine foods with advice on how to make the best of your kitchen garden.
- Inspire - Show gardens, natural art and floral festivals should spark ideas in any visitor, along with a celebrity theatre and science garden.
You can look forward to a festival of roses, a feast cookery theatre, floral marquee, and more - but for garden-lovers, the gorgeous themed gardens must surely be the highlight.
We've already taken a look at two other themed gardens - Unique's DNA garden, put together by a Surrey designer to raise awareness of genetic disorders, and Spirit of the Aegean, designed by a freshly-qualified Barnes gardener based on family holidays. Here are five more, each taken from one of the five categories on offer this year.
In Historical Gardens
Botanica World Discoveries: Winnie the Pooh Begins His Journey
Designed by Anthea Guthrie
Built by Phil Game, Pure Folly
A beautiful garden that is sure to be a hit with visitors of all ages, letting us wander into the mind of A.A Milne and the woodland shelter where his beloved characters lived. The garden brings together adult ideas with childhood dreams, with glass bottles set into a cob wall for a homemade feel at the heart of a large country garden.
In Summer Gardens
HUG: Healing Urban Gardens
Designed by Rae Wilkinson
Built by Living Landscapes
The concept behind this garden is simple, but important in our modern age. It's so important to have a green and tranquil space to retreat to, and this garden brings one to an urban setting in simple style, taking the idea of the relaxing garden (quite literally) back to its roots. A curved path leads to a bench where you can relax and unwind, to take in the natural beauty. The bench was designed for the garden in collaboration with award-winning furniture sculptor Alun Heslop.
In World Gardens
The Turkish Ministry of Culture &Tourism: Garden of Paradise
Designed by Nilufer Danis, Lotus Design Studio
Built by Landform Consultants
Lose yourself in colour and lavish style in this immersive garden inspired by the Turkish Mughal Gardens of the 10th Century. In the dry heat of Turkey, a cool and beautiful place to rest was a must. The geometric architecture of the garden therefore offers ample shade, along with a pavilion and fountains. Outside of these resting spots are the bright flower beds, cypresses, fruit trees and more that make it a true Garden of Paradise.
In Conceptual Gardens
The SMART Vision Garden: Having the Vision to see beyond mental illness
Designed by Steve Smith, Vision Gardens
Built by Imperial Landscapes
A simplistic garden that focuses on breaking down the boundaries of ‘mental illness’. The centrepiece is an elegant circle design of raked gravel, representing a pebble being dropped into water and the positive ripples that can emerge from it. The plants featured here are ones that have been on the planet for millions of years - including fern species that would have been around at the time of the dinosaurs - to demonstrate that nature can survive and flourish despite adversity.
In Show Gardens
Vestra Wealth: Encore, A music lover’s garden
Designed by Paul Martin
Built by Beautiful Horizon Landscapes
Inspired by classical music, especially Handel’s Water Music, which was intended to be played outdoors, this garden is a perfect ode to music and music lovers alike. Walk along a garden path bordered by trees and a burbling stream, and walk down the steps to enjoy this sunken pool area - which will also serve as a mini amphitheatre to enjoy the various musicians who will perform throughout the flower show.
Go online to plan your visit to Hampton Court Flower Show
