A massive gardening event on historic palace grounds
Set in the former royal residence grounds, the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Festival, supported by Viking, was not just about gardening. As well as the show gardens, visitors enjoyed a range of culinary experiences, workshops and entertainment.
Floral Fiesta and Marquee
Guests gained access through the new Ditton entrance via the palace’s Privy Garden, walking alongside a field of Dahlia Mendoza (Dalina Maxi Series) in a palette of pink.
The Floral Marquee brought together 81 growers and nurseries, including new exhibitor Andy’s Air Plants. There was a woodland scene as it would have existed millions of years ago, with the National Collection of Ginkgo. Festival headdresses were on display as floristry students went head-to-head in the RHS Future Florists Competition. Downderry Nursery from Kent was named the festival’s Master Grower, displaying a range of aromatic lavender.
The Festival of Roses returned, with David Austin Roses, Peter Beales Roses and Eastcroft Roses. A time-out space in the RHS Sanctuary took visitors on a journey through the body, mind and soul. Visitors were immersed in medicinal planting for meditation, contemplation and self-reflection.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Festival Show Gardens
The Thames Water Flourishing Future Garden, designed by Tony Woods: Small changes, such as drought-friendly planting and permeable paving, can help water usage.
The Cancer Research UK Pledge Pathway to Progress, designed by Tom Simpson: An immersive walk-through space, the garden represented the critical role of Gifts in Wills.
Through Your Eyes, designed by Lawrence Roberts and William Roobrouc: The garden, overlooked by a large sculptural head, contemplated mental health, age, family and friendships.
Calm Amidst Chaos, designed by Joe Francis: The garden promoted an inner sense of peace to manage our daily lives better.
Crest Nicholson Livewell Garden, designed by Aleksandra Bartczak (David Jarvis Associates): A small public park dedicated to physical and mental wellbeing. It was installed in Chelmsford after the show.
APL A Place to Meet, designed by Cherry Carmen: The hard lines of contemporary construction were softened with waves of naturalistic planting.
Smart gardening
Smart Meter Garden, designed by Matthew Childs: The garden explored the relationship between carbon emissions and our natural world, encouraging smart meter usage.
The Dream of the Indianos, designed by Rose McMonigall: Based on the lives of the Indianos. These were emigrants from Galician Northern Spain to the Caribbean at the end of the 19th century.
The Therapeutic Garden, designed by Tony Wagstaff. The beneficial role that gardening has in supporting people living with dementia, anxiety and other mental illnesses.
The Viking Cruises Lagom Garden, designed by Will Williams. The idea of ‘lagom’, which means not too much, not too little, but perfectly balanced.
Year of Green Action, designed by Helen J Rosevear and Jane Stoneham: This accessible, family garden demonstrated how sensory garden design can help children of all abilities connect with nature.
Read more about the Edible Eden Garden Edible Eden Garden.
Hampton Court Palace Flower Festival – Event information
- Venue: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey KT8 9AU.
- For more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk.
Explore one of the favourite Hampton Court gardens of recent years, The Countryfile Garden. Read more about David Austin at Hampton Court’s Festival of Roses.
