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Horticulture hoedown

Angela Kelly
16/ 7/2008

TATTON Park bursts into bloom this month when the RHS Flower Show celebrates its 10th anniversary there in colourful style.

July 23 to 27 will be very special dates in gardeners’ calendars because this show is a byword for the best, most innovative and most inspirational in the gardening world.

This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever. For a start, art and sculpture have already taken over at Tatton as it celebrates a special biennial with striking installations in many areas.

Visitors can also expect to see imposing copper dragons, organic willow sculptures and contemporary creations exhibited around the showground by some of the UK’s up and coming artists.

There are two new marquees for exploration this year – the Rural Crafts and Skills Pavilion, a workshop of traditional skills like basket and stick making, coppice crafts and thatching, and the British Florist Association marquee.

The latter will feature talks and demonstrations from talented florists as well as two live national floristry competition finals.

It is the gardens, however, which always hog the headlines at this event, and in 2008 they won’t disappoint.

The Back to Back garden category has around 50 fascinating entries, including a smile-making garden designed by Sale-based Paul Morris and Mike Ball from Morris & Ball Landscapes, and a romantic garden designed by Andy Walker for Christie Hospital.

Show gardens from Manchester Metropolitan University use Chinese plants to reflect Chinese culture, while one made by Oldham schoolchildren reflects the difficulties young people can have with education. It’s also the 10th anniversary of the RHS/Ball Colegrave National Flower Bed Competition, in which 19 local authorities and colleges show off their skills in seasonal bedding.

Entries here include Bury MBC’s tribute to cycling champion Reg Harris, Stockport Council’s floral tribute to the town’s 100th centenary celebrations, and a colourful bed by Manchester City Council recreating the beauty of Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury.

Add to this the wealth of expert advice on hand, the chance to buy everything for the garden from plants to accessories, plus handmade crafts and botanical paintings, and it’s easy to see why thousands will be flocking to Knutsford this summer.

RHS Tatton Flower Show runs from July 23 to 27. For full details ring 020 7649 1885 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/Tatton .