RHS Chatsworth 2018 highlights announced
The largest display of Phalaenopsis Orchids in the UK are one of the highlights of the second Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chatsworth Flower Show which runs from 6th -10th June 2018 at the iconic Chatsworth Estate, Derbyshire.
Exciting new content at this year’s show, partnered by Wedgwood, will include a river of 12,000 cosmos and over 100 varieties of orchid, to satisfy inquisitive minds and charm the senses.
During Joseph Paxton’s time as head gardener at the Chatsworth Estate, the garden boasted one of the most extensive orchid collections in the UK and at this year’s show, celebrity floral designer, Jonathan Moseley, will join forces with Double H Nurseries to bring one of the country’s largest orchid displays back to the estate once again. Visitors to last year’s inaugural show will remember the wonderful floral displays Jonathan designed and arranged around the show site and this year will be no exception when it comes to floral excellence.
Housed within a bespoke representation of Paxton’s Great Conservatory, the orchid display will feature over 100 varieties of the popular Phalaenopsis Orchid, creating an immersive floral extravaganza.
Suspended from the ceiling, sculptural branches with large chandeliers dripping with mosses and tropical bromeliads will provide the setting from which will hang a further explosion of vibrant orchids. A virtual reality experience, created by 3D expert and VR designer, Simon Mabey, alongside Manchester Museum and Manchester University will immerse visitors further in the tropical display as they sit suspended among the flowers, experiencing the wonder of different orchids through the eyes of an insect.
For the first time at an RHS Show, a mass planting of over 12,000 cosmos will create a striking vision of pink in front of the iconic Chatsworth House for visitors to walk among and enjoy the sweet scent and beauty of this elegant summer flower.
The new Living Laboratory will showcase and explore some of the great ways plants can help now and in the future as urban living intensifies. Here, plants and technology will be on display highlighting how different varieties can help address a number of urban challenges, including pollution, flooding and food scarcity.
Other show highlights will include ‘The Great Outdoors Garden‘ by Sheffield based designer Phil Hirst and a celebration of ‘Hay Time in Yorkshire‘ by Chris Myers.
Continuing the agricultural theme ‘The John Deere Garden‘ by Elspeth Stockwell and Jo Fairfax, takes inspiration from farm buildings, ploughed wheat fields and natural woodland. The garden will also feature a circular sculpture of 100 tractors celebrating the company’s centenary year.
Chatsworth House provides inspiration for some of the new innovative installation at this year’s show and show partner Wedgewood are working with Chatsworth’s Head of Gardens and Landscape, Steve Porter and craftsman Carl Hardman of Landmark Walling, to celebrate the ancient heritage craft of Dry Stone Walling.
The ‘lost village’ that once stood in the shadow of Chatsworth House before being removed to make way for Capability Brown’s famous landscape is the inspiration behind the Brewin Dolphin installation designed by multi award winning designer Paul Hervey-Brookes. (garden diagram pictured above)
Liz Patterson, RHS Chatsworth Flower Show Manager comments that the Chatsworth Shows Team has being going all-out preparing some fabulous new experiences for the 2018 show: “On top of the exciting new content the Floral Marquees will be bursting with top growers and nurseries and we have a fantastic line up of experts in the Garden and Artisan Kitchen Theatres hosting Q&A sessions, talks and demos thought-out the week,” she said. “Visitors will be able to get creative in the Artisan Craft Area and we will also see the return of the popular Well Dressing competition, plus lots more!”
RHS Chatsworth Flower Show (6-10 June 2017)
6th June, RHS members only; 7th–10th June, RHS members and non-members
Opening times: 6th– 10 June, 10am – 6.30pm
10th June -10am – 5pm
Venue: Chatsworth, Bakewell, Derbyshire, DE45 1PP
To book tickets 0844 995 9664* or www.rhs.org.uk/chatsworth
* Calls cost 7p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge.
Ticket prices range from £18.50 to £33.50. Tickets are on sale now.
Picture credits: All photographs ©Reckless Gardener, credit Emma J Campbell Photography; with exception of Brewin Dolphin Garden graphic,©Paul Hervey-Brookes.
