RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2016

Hampton Court Flower Show

My day stomping around RHS Hampton Court Flower Show press day has kindled new horticulture goals.

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

Starting with the Great Gardens of the USA: The Oregon Garden (appropriate given it’s the 4th of July!)

Hampton Court Flower Show

The natural beauty of the landscape of Oregon with its mountains and scenic wine country inspired this garden.

Hampton Court Flower Show

Which sits next to the sweet, more ordered Charleston Garden:

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

This is The Red Thread garden:

Hampton Court Flower Show

It took its origins from an ancient Chinese myth which states that when we are born the gods tie our ankles with a red thread and attach it to all the people whose lives we are destined to meet.

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

The red rope in the garden is tied to oak posts, representing people, in a complex pattern to show the many connections destiny takes to connect us from friends, loved ones and colleagues.

Hampton Court Flower Show

On to the smaller, retreat gardens, perfect for a young professional couple living in a terraced house.

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

The Japanese Summer Garden: modern, minimal, beautiful:

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

The Drought Garden marks 40 years since the drought of 1976.

Hampton Court Flower Show

The garden was positioned in a very shady spot in the show with tall towering trees surrounding it.

Hampton Court Flower Show

Hampton Court Flower Show

The Dogs Trust had a garden celebrating its 125th year of the charity’s commitment to finding homes for thousands of abandoned and unwanted dogs every year.

Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

These two pooches approved!

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

The World Vision garden was architecturally striking:

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

I went into the Festival of Roses marquee…

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

A palace of perfume!

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

One of my favourites is this one:

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

David Austin’s A Shropshire Lad!

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

^ A nice floral nod to the Beatles!

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

The Surrey Edit

Back outside to explore more gardens:

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

There was a butterfly dome and an area to highlight the importance of pollination and bees in the garden:

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

‘Normandy – 1066 Country Medieval Garden’ celebrates the links between Normandy and England and echoes patterns found in the Bayeux Tapestry:

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

The Rolawn ‘Why’ garden concerns the complexity of the universe and the human brain: the ‘nest’ formation on top forms a perfect dome when viewed from afar.

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

This is the ‘Peacemaker’ garden:

RHS Hampton Court

The interpretation, in hard landscaping, of a giant heartbeat scan provides the structure of the design and represents life. The garden aims to focus attention on communities suffering from violent outbursts across the world.

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

Of course, Press Day attracts celebrities:

Gardening names like Joe Swift…

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

The smiley Carol Klein…

RHS Hampton Court

Ronnie Wood (seen here tying his shoes!)

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

And now back to another Floral Marquee:

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

Huge Dahlias:

RHS Hampton Court

Big Dahlias

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

Some of the most exotic lilies I’ve ever seen:

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

Have you ever seen a lily like this one, Paris Heart? (below)

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

I loved this one. A five layer pink lily!

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

RHS Hampton Court

As you can see, I had a wonderful day!

RHS Hampton Court Flower Show

For those interested, my dress is from Whistles (50% off!) perfect for Summer as it can be dressed up with heels and a cream blazer (for example) or dressed down.

Leave a Reply