Horticultural heroes celebrated at RHS Hampton Court
Exciting new content awaits visitors to this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (2nd to 8th July 2018), supported by Viking.
For the first time ever at the show, RHS Hampton will be celebrating iconic figures of the horticultural world, welcoming influential landscape designer, nurseryman and author Piet Oudolf. Internationally acclaimed for transforming urban spaces, the Dutch designer will be bringing his renowned naturalistic style to the show, creating a whimsical walk through feature.
Using bold drifts of herbaceous perennials and grasses synonymous with his planting style, Oudolf will create a border to sit opposite the historical Hampton Court Palace creating a picture perfect array of colours and textures. Visitors will be able to immerse themselves in a purple meadow of Verbena bonariensis, creating a dazzling display of lilac, lavender and violet shades sweeping along beside the Long Water.
Visitors will be taken on a journey through time to explore the evolution of plants on earth with ‘Evolve: Through the Roots of Time‘, to experience plant development through from barren landscapes prior to the Cambrian era over 500 million years ago, to the lush tropical jungles of the Jurassic period, and into the present day. Housed inside a dome structure and spilling out into the showground, the theatrical and educational experience will open curious minds to see how fossils were formed and seeds developed.
Eight National Plant Collection holders from Plant Heritage will be one of the highlights of the Floral Marquee which this year will also includes 85 specialist nurseries. This year sees the 40th anniversary of Plant Heritage, formed to help minimise the risks of losing cultivated plants and ensure their incredible diversity.
New floral exhibitors at this year’s show include, Salutation Gardens, Moore & Moore, English Iris Company, Hedgehog Plant and Garden Nursery, Limecross and New Forest Hosta. Hampshire Carnivorous Plants will return as the Master Grower 2018.
Other highlights will include the annual Festival of Roses always a cornucopia of colour and scent and the fabulous show gardens.
Gemma Lake, RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show Manager says: “We are delighted to reveal our exciting new line up to RHS Hampton 2018. We want to make sure that our visitors feel inspired, whether they’re keen gardeners or just want to know where to start! With a festival feel, it is a great summer’s day out and the best place for anyone wanting ideas, gardening advice, beautiful plants and gardening goods to grow a garden they love.
“This year promises to bring a festival of flowers to Hampton Court Palace with hands on workshops, amazing horticultural sights and delicious home grown dishes from our tempting new ‘Dig In’ food area.”
The RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, runs from 2nd to 8th July with an exclusive Preview Evening held on Monday 2nd July. For further information or to buy tickets please visit the RHS website at: www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt
Picture credits: Banner: ©RHS Image Library, Perennial Sanctuary Garden, RHS Hampton Court 2017, designed by Tom Massey.
RHS banner (middle) ©Reckless Gardener
