This year’s Show Gardens span the globe, showing us what the future holds for gardening and honouring the past, with designers from America, Norway and Korea. Feature Gardens provide a feast for the senses, delighting visitors almost as much as the wildlife descending upon them. Elsewhere, the Get Started Gardens celebrate urban nature with practical ideas as well as addressing concepts from future sustainability through to the influence of the moon.
See all the gardens
Fabulous florals
RHS Hampton Court is famous for its flowers, and the Festival of Roses fills the showground with the scent of summer. Next door is the Flower School, where celebrity florists join Flowers from the Farm to pass on their expertise, and give visitors the opportunity to try creating their own mini arrangement.
Iconic Horticultural Hero
Carol Klein was an exhibitor in the Floral Marquee at the first RHS Hampton Court show in 1993, this year her RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero Garden, brings us back to the rules of nature. Comprising of six different habitats: wetland, woodland, hedgerow, meadows, exposed mountain and seaside. The garden takes inspiration from what already works in the wild to create a beautiful, productive garden that reflects the designer’s passion for plants.
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Sensory Pocket Planting
New for this year, the festival’s Sensory Pocket Planting category, highlights how stimulating all five senses can enhance our outdoor experiences. From the sensual delights of Aphrodite’s Garden to the tactile treats of Touching the Senses. These mini gardens give first-time designers the oportunity to cut the turf at their first RHS flower show, and have been the sleeper hit of the festival.
.jpg "America’s Wild designers receive Best In Show")
Golden gardens
RHS Medals represent the pinnacle of horticultural achievement and designers dream of claiming a top medal for their garden. Most prestigious of all is the coveted Best in Show award. Judging is done before the show opens so that visitors can take a look and see if they agree. There’s always the People’s Choice, giving everyone a chance to vote for their favourite gardens.
See the awards
RHS Allotments
Combining grow-your-own with an eye for design, RHS Allotments are an inspiring space showcasing the finest fruit and veg. Themes vary from Dig for Victory to Guerrilla Gardening as seven plots entered the competition to be crowned Best Community Allotment.
See the RHS Allotments
School Bug Barrels
With the UK’s rapidly diminishing insect, bird, mammal and amphibian population having a dramatic effect on biodiversity, children’s groups and schools were invited to design and up-cycle an old oil drum into a bug barrel. Educating our visitors on the importance of developing and sustaining healthy ecosystems in our gardens and outdoor spaces, and protecting the UK’s biodiversity.
Hampton High Secondary School’s design champions dead and decaying matter as a crucial supporter of biodiversity. With Northfields School Gardening Club taking inspiration from creatures living within the schools, using the challenge as an opportunity to explore grasshopper’s lifecycle and natural habitats.
Shops and markets
The festival is home to several buzzing marketplaces. From luxury hot tubs and garden furniture to gourmet nibbles and artisan liqueurs. With more than 200 exhibitors, there really is something for everyone.
At the Plant Village and Floral Marquee you can grab the perfect plants to recreate the gorgeous show gardens at home. With advice direct from the specialist growers, your plants have the best chance to thrive in your garden.
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