RHS Hampton Court Flower Show Garden Guide

Explore the enchanting world of the RHS Hampton Court Flower Show 2023. Nestled amidst the historic grounds of Hampton Court Palace, this extraordinary event is set to captivate garden enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. As the largest flower show in the world, it promises to be a spectacular showcase of horticultural brilliance, where the finest designers and gardening enthusiasts come together to unveil their imaginative and breath taking creations. Join us on a virtual journey through these lush, vibrant landscapes, where creativity knows no bounds and where the natural beauty of flora takes centre stage. From inspiring show gardens to delightful floral displays, prepare to be immersed in a sensory experience like no other, as we uncover the marvels that await us in this verdant paradise.

The garden's main objective is to enhance wellbeing by utilizing delightful scents and beautiful plants to uplift one's spirits. Drawing inspiration from the parterre design, it incorporates a blend of aromatic and pollinator-friendly ornamentals. The colour scheme comprises cheerful yellows, soft pinks, and serene blues, along with lilacs and whites, harmoniously creating a unified planting arrangement.

To introduce structure, evergreen herbs are skilfully shaped into semi-structural hedges, while three exquisite ornamental trees further contribute to the garden's form. At its centre, a weathered mild steel water feature symbolizes the changing seasons of nature. The natural panels defining the garden's boundaries and the raised planters boast a woven willow pattern, creating an inviting and connected atmosphere. Above all, the design prioritizes the simple joy of sitting and unwinding, with a designated area for experimenting with herbal remedies and tinctures, and the pleasure of savouring freshly picked herbs like peppermint or chamomile tea straight from the garden.

The garden addresses the issue of plastic waste in horticulture through innovative alternatives that not only reduce landfill but also enhance the garden's aesthetics. Plastic waste finds new life as seating, decorative fencing, and hard landscaping surfaces, even transforming into garden artwork. Visitors are led across composite recycled plastic material decking, through a meadow and birch grove that mirrors restored landfill, where they can appreciate recycled plastic fencing and containerized flowers. A unique plant pot bench offers a spot to rest, while an elegantly arched, eco-friendly garden pod provides shelter and tranquillity.

The birch grove comprises five semi-mature Betula jacquemontii trees, while the rest of the planting consists of wildflower turf, featuring species reminiscent of native wildflower meadows. The garden showcases a vibrant mix of colours, emulating the diversity found in nature and resembling plants thriving on recultivated landfill. Birch, known for naturally reclaiming such spaces, thrives in various soil and climatic conditions, while native herbs self-seed and attract essential pollinators, contributing to the overall ecosystem.

This beautiful garden serves as a sustainable portrayal of wasteland restoration, a testament to its potential to reclaim its former glory with eco-conscious practices.

The Lunar Garden offers visitors a captivating outdoor experience that seamlessly transitions from day to night. Thoughtfully designed subtle light features allow for a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere after dark, without inundating the space with artificial brightness.

Taking inspiration from the moon, every aspect of the garden revolves around a lunar theme. Circular shapes are thoughtfully integrated into the design, from the winding gravel path to the circular paving and planted beds, symbolizing the different phases of the moon.

The garden harmoniously combines elements of Oriental and Western planting, primarily in shades of white and silver to evoke the magical ambiance of moonlight. These elegant tones are punctuated with splashes of green foliage. The diverse array of white flowering and silver foliage herbaceous plants adorns the garden, elegantly bordered by two meandering bamboo fences.

Notably, the garden showcases a selection of drought-tolerant plants that are also attractive to pollinators, promoting sustainability and ecological balance. Additionally, the presence of structural trees and shrubs such as Acer, Pinus, Cornus, Osmanthus, Viburnum, and bamboo imbues the space with an Oriental charm. As the breeze gently rustles through these elements, a soothing and relaxing soundscape completes the tranquil atmosphere of the Lunar Garden.

Drawing its inspiration from blissful summer holidays, the garden features a delightful combination of natural stone elements, including gravel tracks and spacious stone-bench seating, inviting visitors to rest and unwind amidst the tranquil sounds of running streams and the refreshing coolness of the glade planting.

A pathway of stepping-stone paving spans over a shallow dry creek, thoughtfully designed to capture rainwater during intense rainfall. This pathway leads to a central space, offering seating crafted from natural materials and shaded by the graceful presence of multi-stem trees. Emulating the graceful movement of water, a willow fence encircles the garden, mirroring the willow trees planted within.

In harmony with its sustainable approach, rainwater is collected and naturally filtered through the planting, fostering cleaner waterways and significantly reducing the need for additional watering. The selection of flora in the garden exhibits a natural essence, resiliently tailored to adapt to future UK climates, accommodating both temporary periods of flooding and dry spells. Inspired by woodland and lower valley glades, the planting palette showcases a variety of flowering perennials and grasses, carefully chosen to provide a harmonious blend of textures and colours.

Beyond the show, this remarkable garden finds a new home at ARK at Egwood in Somerset, allowing its beauty and eco-conscious principles to flourish and inspire for years to come.

Designed by the renowned horticultural expert, Carol Klein, this year's garden is a masterpiece divided into six distinctive habitats: wetland, woodland, hedgerow, meadow, exposed mountain, and seaside, with a small but charming vegetable patch.

Upon entering, visitors are greeted by a sunken and marshy wetland area, followed by a slightly elevated woodland adorned with elegant beech trees and a native hedgerow boundary. On the opposite side lies a quaint vegetable garden, showcasing an innovative 'three sisters' planting arrangement with sweetcorn 'Swift', climbing bean 'Blauhilde', and a 'Uchiki Kuri' squash. Delighting the senses, three pots brim with the fragrant Lathyrus odoratus 'Cupani'.

As visitors journey from the woodland to the garden's exit, they find themselves amidst a beautiful 'meadow', a breath-taking expanse dominated by shades of blue and purple in a multitude of herbaceous perennials. This colourful tapestry includes Salvia nemorosa 'Caradonna', Eryngium x zabelii, Nepeta, and Scabiosa, embellished with accents of Achillea 'Salmon Beauty' and Echinacea pallida. Towards the shadier rear, the deep purple foliage of Actaea simplex 'Pink Spike' stands out against the delicate beauty of Thalictrum 'Splendide', all set against a warm backdrop of copper beech.

A charming pathway leads between the lush 'meadow' borders, guiding visitors to an inviting oval seating area surrounded by taller plants like Deschampsia cespitosa 'Goldschlier', Agastache 'Blackadder', and Cosmos 'Purity', fostering a sense of intimacy and relaxation. Beside the table, a round herb planter completes the cosy ambiance.

Along the outer perimeter of the garden, a Beth-Chatto-style planting design thrives, featuring striking plants such as Allium sphaerocephalon, Eucomis, Stipa tenuissima, and the cream variety of Eschscholzia californica, all flourishing within a bed of gravel.

Approximately one out of every three households in England comprises rented homes, with over seven million enjoying access to outdoor areas. The primary goal of the garden is to showcase the incredible potential for supporting nature and combating climate challenges in small outdoor spaces, especially in urban settings.

Dubbed the "Renter's Retreat," this garden exemplifies how even a small, shaded courtyard can transform into a picturesque sanctuary for wildlife while providing a serene space for people to unwind. Remarkably, many of its features can be easily implemented in outdoor spaces throughout the country, regardless of size, location, or property ownership status. These features include a hügelkultur mound, a permaculture technique, a raised pond, log planters, and modular beds that can be conveniently disassembled and rearranged, as well as methods for home composting and rainwater capture.

Through its design and practical elements, the garden emphasizes that both tenants and homeowners can take active steps to enhance their outdoor spaces for the benefit of wildlife. It serves as a compelling reminder that every individual plays a vital role in reversing the decline of nature, nurturing a sense of responsibility and collective effort to protect and preserve our natural world.

The garden exemplifies the transformation of an urban corridor into a thriving natural habitat, shedding light on how wildlife can flourish even in unexpected or neglected spaces within the city.

The concept of urban greening emphasizes the numerous benefits of increasing green spaces in urban areas, benefiting both people and wildlife, and contributing positively to the climate. This garden illustrates how disused urban and industrial landscapes, often considered "accidental landscapes," can offer biodiverse habitats.

Taking inspiration from an abandoned railway track reclaimed by nature, the design features a path following the fading tracks, meandering through a canopy of tall native trees like Crataegus monogyna and Salix babylonica 'Tortuosa'. Underneath, beautiful ornamental versions of wild plants, such as Angelica sylvestris 'Vicar's Mead' and Daucus 'Dara,' create enchanting swathes.

At the forefront of the garden, Achillea 'Salmon Beauty' intermingles with Verbascum 'Helen Johnson' and Deschampsia cespitosa 'Bonzeschlier,' forming a dreamy expanse of peachy hues. The scene is accentuated by the crimson flowerheads of Sanguisorba menziesii, complemented by an arching Rosa 'Night Owl' draped gracefully over a rustic wooden tripod frame. In a shady corner, Betonica 'Hummelo' attracts skipper butterflies, surrounded by lush white clover, with the shade-tolerant Rosa 'Ballerina' completing the backdrop.

This garden challenges the notion that re-wilding requires leaving gardens to "go wild," which can lead to a dominance of a few prolific species, reducing herbaceous variety and overall biodiversity. Instead, this design observes and draws inspiration from nature while maintaining a carefully balanced plant selection to support biodiversity through mindful intervention.

America's Wild offers an immersive and enriching experience that delves into three distinct North American landscapes: the desert, forest, and prairie.

Planting within the garden showcases the diversity of each habitat, with dry and arid conditions simulating the desert area, featuring succulents; aspen trees representing the woodland in the forest area; and a mix of grasses and wild perennials embodying the prairie.

To create a sense of grandeur and vastness, expansive vistas are artfully recreated through film screens and a captivating waterfall feature, inspiring visitors to further explore the breathtaking outdoors of America.

America's Wild is thoughtfully designed to be easily replicated at home, with its planting evoking the essence of the USA while remaining accessible to UK gardeners, encouraging them to bring a touch of American wilderness into their own outdoor spaces.

Nurturing Nature in the City is an environmentally conscious garden, carefully crafted using affordable and predominantly reclaimed materials. Bursting with pollinator-friendly planting, this green oasis is a breeze to maintain, making it ideal for amateur gardeners. Not only does it ignite their love for gardening, but it also beckons an array of urban wildlife to call this space their home.

Inspired by innovative inner-city green projects like New York's High Line and London's Parkland Walk, this garden distils their grand ideas into a smaller-scale space that schools or budget-conscious home gardeners can easily replicate using unwanted and reclaimed materials.

The ambiance of a natural, untamed wilderness is skilfully evoked in this urban setting through the incorporation of natural stone, water features, and lush planting. Diverse habitats coexist harmoniously, including gabion walls, mini wildflower strips, pollinator-friendly planting, ponds, and nest pockets, all encircling a central seating area for people to relish the richness of life thriving in this compact space.

Reclaimed sleepers, scaffold boards, and waste stone are ingeniously utilized to create the seating areas, while waste materials are ingeniously repurposed to construct the gabions.

Nurturing Nature in the City showcases how, even with a modest budget and minimal use of brand-new materials, one can design a captivating space with multiple habitats that cater to both people and wildlife, exemplifying the harmonious coexistence of nature in an urban environment.

The garden's primary aim is to foster a sense of community around public gardens that cater to residents' needs. Drawing inspiration from Incheon, a city in Korea known for its scenic mud flats and lush forests, the design addresses the concept of ownership of shared spaces and the harmonious coexistence of people with nature. The growth of resilient plants amidst concrete symbolizes this harmony. At the heart of the garden lies a central concrete paving surrounded by a box structure, representing architecture, and enveloped by a natural forest.

The selection of plants featured in the garden consists of native Korean species and those commonly found in the area's woodlands, including Cornus kousa, Rhododendron spp, Sorbaria sorbifolia, and Astilbe rubra. By using these plants, the garden embraces its cultural roots while accentuating the beauty of the local environment.

The Cancer Research UK Legacy Garden narrates the significance of leaving a gift in your Will, emphasizing how it provides crucial funding for vital research. This research serves to save the lives of our loved ones, honour the memory of those we have lost, and ultimately conquer cancer for future generations.

The garden serves as a joyous celebration of hope and optimism inspired by the profound impact of gifts in Wills. Nestled within a serene woodland setting, it encourages moments of reflection, meaningful conversations, and genuine connections.

Designed with varying levels, the garden remains mostly hidden from outside view. However, its true beauty is revealed upon stepping inside. Meandering stream inlets guide visitors to a central body of water, featuring an isolated jetty that metaphorically represents the fear and isolation cancer can bring. Yet, facing the 'Pledge Pavilion' embodies hope, signifying that though the journey may be arduous, one is never alone in their fight against cancer.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the companies Breedon Aggregates, Welsh Slate, CED Stone, Bernhards Nurseries, Hortus Loci, and Alken Engineering for their invaluable support in making this garden a reality. Their contributions have allowed us to create a powerful and moving tribute to the impact of legacy gifts on cancer research and the future of cancer treatment.

The garden presents a miniature representation of the enchanting landscapes and allure of Oregon state.

Dramatic large boulders form a rugged backdrop for the garden, accompanied by woodland bark-chipping pathways, a serene natural water feature, and twisted grape vines, symbolizing the renowned wine-growing regions of Oregon.

A delightful color scheme in cream, burgundy, and pink, interwoven with an array of greens, adorns the garden. Thoughtfully selected plants like Ammi majus, Agrostemma 'Ocean Pearl,' and Achillea are chosen for their ability to attract insects, contributing to the garden's vibrant and thriving ecosystem.

The Traditional Townhouse Garden is meticulously designed to inspire urban gardeners to craft charming and eco-friendly havens that cater to both people and wildlife.

Amidst the large planters, multi-stemmed Prunus serrula stand tall, surrounded by pollinator-friendly flowers and a captivating array of textures. These planters brim with Alchemilla mollis, Astrantia major subsp. involucrata 'Shaggy,' Athyrium niponicum 'Metallicum,' and Digitalis purpurea 'Dalmatian White.' The garden layout embraces tradition, with straight lines evoking the structural nature of urban living. However, the repetition in form and colour weaves a natural rhythm, while gravel planting gently softens the hard edges.

The colour palette of whites, greens, deep purples, and dusty pinks is artfully repeated throughout the planting, showcasing varying flower forms, from the tall spires of Verbascum and Digitalis to the domed umbels of Ammi and the charming pin cushion flowerheads of Scabiosa. In the garden's foreground, Cosmos atrosanguineus elegantly contrasts with Oenothera lindheimeri 'Sparkle White,' complemented by the presence of copper beech hedging.

A bronze 'Apple' sculpture alludes to the Garden of Eden, while the soothing sounds of wildlife and the tranquil presence of water foster a serene atmosphere. This garden stands as a testament to the harmony that can exist between humans and nature, even within the confines of small urban environments.

In response to the cost of living crisis affecting households across the UK, the RHS and BBC Morning Live have teamed up to support the nation's gardening endeavours this summer, offering a garden filled with budget-friendly tips and innovative ideas that won't strain finances.

Created by BBC Morning Live's resident gardener Mark Lane, the garden showcases ingenious and cost-effective gardening methods using everyday household items and tools. Emphasizing sustainability, the design cleverly incorporates affordable drought-tolerant plants like Eryngium bourgatii Picos Amethyst, Armeria maritima 'Splendens,' and Erigeron karvinskianus. Vibrant bursts of color come from Agapanthus africanus 'Blue,' Echinacea 'Cheyenne Spirit,' and Astrantia major 'Sparkling Stars Red.'

Throughout the garden, recycled and repurposed materials take centre stage, featuring scaffold boards, guttering, and pallets creatively arranged into compost bays—a fantastic money-saving solution. Quirky elements such as a recreated TV set, a swivelling raised strawberry planter made from the base of a desk chair, and a vertical living wall adorned with herbs spilling from wall-mounted mugs add playful touches to the space.

Amidst the flourishing flora, an array of flowers, fruits, and vegetables like kale, cabbages, chard, and broad beans illustrate that even small spaces can provide nourishment for the entire family. The garden also showcases produce that can be grown from food waste, and clever cost-effective methods for conserving water during dry summer months.

Notably, the garden is designed to be fully accessible, aiming to inspire gardeners of all abilities to enjoy the joys of gardening without financial strain.

The garden aims to transport its visitors back in time to the enchanting courtyard gardens of Charleston, South Carolina, evoking the essence of their spirit, charm, and grace.

In homage to the historical significance of Charleston, key materials in the garden serve as poignant reminders of its past. Wrought iron railings pay tribute to the city's rich ironwork tradition, while handcrafted bricks harken back to a bygone era. Additionally, crushed oyster shells, abundant in South Carolina's history, symbolize the region's coastal heritage.

Drawing inspiration from Charleston's famous waterfront fountain, a series of water features take the form of pineapples, an emblem of welcome and hospitality in the city's culture.

The carefully curated planting colour scheme revolves around hues of blue, pink, and white, showcasing an array of resilient exotic plants. These hardy selections add a touch of allure to the garden, capturing the allure of Charleston's historic courtyard gardens.

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