RHS Hampton Court’s guide to giving flowers
Whether you’re celebrating, commiserating or just want to share some love, RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival has all the expertise and inspiration to help you say it with flowers
From the home-grown blooms and floral know-how of growers from Flowers from the Farm, to the gorgeous installations and exhibits around the show, Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is the home of floral art.
Royal florist Simon Lycett is a regular at RHS Shows, bringing his talent and passion to incredible displays and inspiring demonstrations. This year at RHS Hampton Court he’s be working with beautiful seasonal flowers to create arrangements that everyone will be able to replicate at home. During his demonstrations Simon will not be using any specialist equipment and everything will be sustainably sourced using containers most of us will have at home.
See the Flower School timetable
Alternatives to a bouquet
If you want to create a stunning display, chicken wire with two-inch mesh is a good alternative to floral foam. Use a piece about twice the size of your container and fold the wire in on itself, so it looks like a shower cap. Tie in place using
Anything and everything can become a beautiful vessel or vase if you have enough knowledge, so come along to RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival and I’ll be happy to share that knowledge with you!
Damp sand in a deep vase works well to support stems, while damp moss is good for when you want to avoid having water at all. Another option is to create a grid of sticks (like a noughts & crosses board) that you’ve tied, which sits on top of your vase. Blooms like daffodils and anemones will sit on top of that grid and create a gorgeous tapestry of colour.
Bouquets don’t have to just be flowers
No garden? Try asking your local greengrocer for material. Simon says: “My greengrocer has the most beautiful radicchio and endive – prettier than any peony, and after a few days you can chop them up and make a delicious salad.”In the summer, Simon suggests arrangements of mint with sweetpeas – a play on the classic kitchen pairing of pea and mint – it smells amazing and looks gorgeous.
RHS Hampton Court for floral inspiriation
Come and visit the RHS Flower School with Flowers From the Farm and the NAFAS Flower Hut this year and indulge in floral know-how and beautiful blooms.More from the RHS
Plants for special occasions
Exhibitors at RHS Hampton Court
Flowers from the Farm at RHS Hampton Court