Wonderful and ‘Smart’ RHS Hampton 2019

Visitors to the 2019 RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, supported by Viking, were rewarded with perfect weather, superb gardens and a host of ideas to take home from the world’s largest flower show.

The sought-after accolade of Best Show Garden went to the ‘Smart Meter Garden‘ (Gold) (pictured banner above) designed by Surrey-based Matthew Childs. Matthew’s design highlights how we can make small individual changes in the face of climate change to help our environment and featured drifts of shade planting surrounded by a perimeter of trees to showcase their importance in reducing CO2 in the atmosphere. This is the second year in succession that Matthew has won the coveted title and he was absolutely “over the moon” to have won the award again: “It’s amazing for me personally for the second year but it’s also a real endorsement of all the people who have made this garden happen,” said Matthew. “The thing I really hope everyone will take away from the garden is that climate change is real and the only way we can do something about it is if we all come together; if we do small things collectively, we can make a huge impact.”

The Cancer Research UK Pledge Pathway to Progress‘ garden, (Gold) designed by Tom Simpson, was awarded the Best Construction Award with Rosebank Landscaping. (pictured above, Tom receiving the Award from RHS Director General Sue Biggs.)

Tom’s immersive walk-through garden represents the important role of gifts in wills in funding Cancer Research UK’s progress towards a day when all cancers can be cured. Tom was delighted to be awarded his second gold medal: “It’s a testament to all the months of hard work that has been put in by the team,” he said.

There were four Gold medals awarded in the Show Garden category – The Thames Water Flourishing Future Garden, designed by Tony Woods and the Viking Cruises Lagom Garden, designed by Will Williams, also scooped Gold.

Best Lifestyle and Global Impact Garden was awarded to Dave Green (a former RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Manager) for his ‘Stop and Pause Garden” (Gold). This garden also won the Best Construction Award in that category. (pictured above)

RHS Judge, Paul Hervey-Brookes commented that the standard of the gardens this year was extremely high: “With the new Global Impact Gardens and Lifestyle Gardens categories, the RHS has shown a way to highlight the work of garden designers in creating spaces which both challenge us to think about the future and address our immediate desires for gardens of refuge and inspiration,” he said.

The People’s Choice Awards went to The Cancer Research UK Pledge Pathway to Progress garden, (Gold) designed by Tom Simpson and to The Naturecraft Garden (Silver) designed by Pollyanna Wilkinson. (pictured above on her garden).

A total of 42 Gold Medals were presented to nurseries in the Floral Marquee, Festival of Roses and Dig In area. Newcomers Andy’s Airplants and the National Plant Collection of Ginkgo were among the gold medallists. In the Plant Village, Best Exhibit went to Proctor’s Nursery for their exhibit of shrubs and perennial plants. Best exhibit in the Floral Marquee went to The Salutation Garden and Nursery for their Plant Hunter’s Jungle Camp. Hooksgreen Herbs were awarded Best Dig In Exhibit and Hogarth Hostas Best Plant Heritage Exhibit.

(above: The Dream of the Indianos garden – designed by Rose McMonigall -Silver)

The Rose of the Year was awarded to Sweet Honey ‘Kormecaso’ bred by Kordes Rosen of Germany.

David Austin Roses were awarded their 18th gold medal and third consecutive ‘Best Rose Exhibit’ accolade for their display featuring a fragrant central pathway flanked by four vibrant square beds.

The ‘Back to Nature Garden‘ co-designed by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and Landscape Architects Andree Davies and Adam White, once again attracted a lot of interest. Designed to encourage families and communities to engage with nature and spend time in the great outdoors, the design was inspired by the original garden at RHS Chelsea with many key features including the waterfall, dens and hollow log returning alongside new elements including a wildflower meadow.

RHS Director General, Sue Biggs, commented that the impact of the RHS Back to Nature Garden at Chelsea resulted in a record month for RHS Membership with over 12,000 people joining in May: “This is incredibly positive and shows how powerful this collaboration is, really motivating people to garden, grow and access outside space and nature, which is good for their health and also for the environment and wildlife,” said Sue. Elements of the garden are being moved to RHS Garden Wisley to be part of a new children’s garden.

(above: Designer Caitlin McLaughlin’s ‘The Urban Pollinator Garden’ for sponsor Warner’s -Silver-Gilt)

Another wonderful RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival demonstrating all that is vibrant, excellent and beneficial about gardening.

Picture credits: All images are strictly ©: Banner: Smart Meter Garden, RHS/credit Neil Hepworth; Best Construction presentation RHS/credit Luke MacGregor; The Dream of the Indianos, RHS/credit Luke MacGregor; all other images are strictly © of Tim HowellX (you can follow Tim on Twitter @TimHowellX