Our highlights of Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
2019-07-09T11:37:00+01:00
GLT’s editor Keeley Rodgers had a blooming wonderful day at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival - here are some of her highlights from the “Glastonbury of gardening”.
Source: RHS / Suzanne Plunkett
Strike a pose - Marcel “le Corgi” was on his best behaviour at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.
1. Photo shoot at the RHS letters: Never one to miss an opportunity for a photo stop, I headed for the glorious RHS letters, arranged by the very talented florist Jonathan Moseley.
Keeley with Melissa Hackney, RHS, at the Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival.
I had to wait though - a very important guest, Marcel “le Corgi” (apparently the UK’s most famous corgi - and the first to be invited to the RHS Chelsea Flower Show) was showing his best side during the press preview of the festival.
I was able to get a quick snap with the RHS’ group sales and marketing manager Melissa Hackney. The festival is a great choice for groups and Melissa told me that they welcomed a number of group travel organisers and their members this year. Don’t worry if you missed out though, the 2020 dates for your diary are 6th-12th July.
2. The BBC Springwatch Garden: Designed by the award-winning Jo Thompson, in consultation with wildlife gardener Kate Bradbury, the aim of this garden was to encourage the nation to turn their gardens into nature reserves.
Source: RHS / Luke MacGregor
Presenters Chris Packham and Micheala Strachan with garden designer Jo Thompson at the BBC Springwatch Garden.
The three distinct spaces, each with their own characteristics, featured different practical ways to welcome wildlife including plants of pollinators and shelters made from natural materials.
3. Relaxing by the Long Water: With the stunning Hampton Court Palace in the background, the deckchairs alongside the Long Water offered the perfect spot to sit and reflect at the festival - just make sure you’ve got someone to help you out of the deckchair!
Source: RHS / Luke MacGregor
Visitors look across the Long Water during the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
This year’s floating stage featured a lively schedule of music and entertainment throughout. I loved the flamingo features too - a great touch.
4. Smelling the 2020 Rose of the Year: The Festival of Roses is a must for all visitors to the event - you’re immersed in fragrances and colours - it really is a treat for the senses. It also saw the launch of the Sweet Honey ’Komercaso’, the 2020 Rose of the Year.
The Festival of Roses is a treat for the senses.
New for this year was The Roses Tearoom, the ideal spot to enjoy afternoon tea while taking in the blooms.
5. Back to Nature Garden: It was great to see the awareness of how great gardening is for mental health at this year’s festival, not least with the RHS Back to Nature Garden from the Chelsea Flower Show.
The Duchess of Cambridge and Chris Young, community outreach advisor, show children the Back to Nature Garden at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Co-designed by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge and landscape architects Andrée Davies and Adam White, plants and landscaping from the garden will be relocated to The Dewnans Centre in Dawlish to create a lovely green space for patients and hospital staff to enjoy.
6. Bee haven at the Urban Pollinator: Featuring bee-friendly plants and wonderfully symmetric bee-printed tiles, I really enjoyed soaking up the delights of this garden.
Urban Pollinator Garden at Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival
Combining design, function and wildlife-friendly messages, the Urban Pollinator Garden is being rehomed at Cransley Hospice in Kettering, Northamptonshire, for more people to enjoy it.
Next year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival takes place between 6th-12th July.
For information and details about group bookings and benefits go to www.rhs.org.uk/groups.
The team at Hever Castle & Gardens in Kent have released their programme of events for groups throughout 2024 including Snowdrop Walks, a Celebration of Spring and Hever in Bloom.