Big day out at Tatton Flower Show
DON’T let the iffy weather put you off a day out at this year’s Tatton RHS Flower Show, the numerous vast marquees give ample cover when there is the occasional downpour and are home to some of the show’s must-see exhibits.
In between showers, the ground itself is not that bad – this is Cheshire don’t forget, so metal walkways and ample wood chips mean the show’s well-heeled visitors don’t leave with fashionable footwear caked in clods of mud – although sensible shoes and a waterproof are recommended.
New this year to the garden exhibits is the Visionary Gardens category, which focus on artistic concepts, future fashions, sustainability and the environment. The category gives these six gardens a real opportunity to be more focussed on artistic concepts and yet they all have a ‘liveability’ and are less haute couture in design than several gardens on display in the other two show categories.
The show and back to back gardens are obvious must sees, and although preference is a question of taste, the variety of plants and styles on display mean all visitors should find at least one or two that resonate.
Yet strong themes are evident across the gardens. Reds and florescent colours are in, echoing the current 80s revival, as are more random splashes of wild flower colour and more verdant combinations.
The RHS has declared this year’s show is going ‘soft on fruit’ with summer berries taking centre stage at the Be Fruitful show garden by Sharon Hockenhall and Home Grown by Bridgemere Garden World.
But a more noticeable trend is the growing prevalence of vegetables year on year, with more space being given to veg only displays, many of which have seen involvement from local primary schools, and more garden designers choosing to give some space to more decorative veg plants.
Food
If you plan to treat yourself to a three course lunch at The Brasserie, do book in advance or early on arrival in the morning because despite the £42 a head price tag, it is as popular as ever. Perhaps that’s why it is rather crammed: diners are lined up in neat canteen-like rows, with tables so close that you could – and we did – easily converse with those two tables down from your own.
All three courses were very good, with no need for a caveat about mass outdoor catering. And the main course is the star as it should be – we had stuffed tomato gnocchi and the roast salmon, but corn-fed chicken or ribeye steak are also options.
A more cost effective option to a full-blown meal in the Brasserie would be to save yourself for afternoon tea, served from 3.30pm for around £10 a head.
But plenty of visitors bring a flask and a sandwich and there are also a myriad of food vendors on site with choices ranging from fish and chips to a salad bar. The Harvey Nics and Country Living champagne bars seem a popular first stop for many visitors preferring a liquid lunch.
Highlights
- Keep an eye out for tourist board Visit Chester and Cheshire’s show garden (stand D16), which was designed by Chris Beardshaw and won Best Show Garden. It includes elements of traditional British woodland-style planting with a Germanic-inspired prairie style garden. If you really love this garden, you can visit it again because it will be relocated to Ness Botanic Gardens after the show.
- The British Florist Association is running a daily catwalk show, with clothes incorporating flowers and plant material.
- The floral marquee is a must see, with 85 expert exhibitors. But you can’t fail to miss the orchid displays this year, which are full of florescent pinks and oranges. The cacti and succulents are a perennial favourite, and always worth a marvel – how many small plants can you cram into the air holes of a brick?
- If you are a keen or novice veg grower, find inspiration in the RHS Fruit and Veg Competition marquee, where best of breed are on display. Check out the size of those onions!
Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire
22-26 July 10am to 6.30pm (5pm Sunday)
Tickets £22 advanced, £24 on the day, £19 RHS members
www.rhs.org.uk/tattonpark
