It’s not only florals in fashion that we're a fan of, as the season of flower shows approaches we’re feeling rather green fingered. With links to reducing stress, improving confidence as well as helping you to relax, surrounding yourself with nature has a positive correlation with your mental health. If you need a bit of guidance on the RHS flower shows to visit this spring summer, you’re in the right place.
Chelsea Flower Show
21st-25th May
One of the more famous in the RHS catalogue, the Chelsea Flower Show is arguably the flagship of all Royal Horticultural Shows. The quintessentially British flower show regularly plays host to celebrities and royals, and this year has even been contributed to by royalty. Kate Middleton announced her involvement with the show back in January which subsequently increased web page traffic by 100%. Kate has worked together with landscape architects Andree Davies and Adam White on their garden called “Back to Nature” a woodland wilderness garden that aims to highlight the mental and physical benefits of exploring nature, with a tree house featuring as the centre piece of the garden.
In another royal link, a charity close to Prince Harry and Princess Megan’s hearts, CAMFED, the campaign for Female Education will unveil its first garden at the Chelsea flower show this year. CAMFED Garden: Giving Girls in Africa a Space to Grow will replicate the surroundings of rural Zimbabwe and will move to the Eden Projectafter the Chelsea Flower Show.
Tatton Park
17th-21st July
The RHS flower show at Tatton Park is another must see if you’re looking for some horticultural inspiration. Set in the historic estate with 50 acres of award winning gardens, enjoy a mix of exciting talks, workshops and demos. The schedule for the Tatton Park show is full to the brim this year from learning how to turn your city garden into an urban retreat to the return of the RHS Young Designer of the Yearcompetition.
Hampton Court
2nd-7th July
Set in the middle of this beautiful Tudor palace which once resided King Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palaceplays host to thousands of eagerly awaiting horticulturists each year. This year guest speakers,Melissa and Jasmine Hemsley are on hand giving advice on nutrition, whilst nutritional therapist and yoga teacher Madeleine Shaw will be giving advice on how to live well and maintain a healthy gut. Wander through world-class gardens for both contemporary and traditional inspiration. New to the show this year, the RHS flower show at Hampton Court Palace explores a new category in innovative planting and design ideas to convey topical issues. Including the “Thames Water Flourishing Future Garden” and “Year of Green Action”.
RHS Chatsworth
5th-9th June
Enjoy a range of activities and beautiful gardens in the grounds of the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire. Only in it's third year, RHS Chatsworth is bringing you a variety of show gardens curated by industry experts to peruse through, talks to attend and specialists to speak to for inspiration. Take your pick from over 100 plant societies and nurseries who will be on hand to help you discover what you should be doing in your garden. This year there will also be a focus on trees, where guests can learn about how trees benefit our health and well being, the threats facing trees and what is being done to protect them. Also for the perfect photo opportunity check out the immersive display of 6,000 Dahlia Dalina Maxi.
