Royal flower power

FOR gardeners, a visit to one of the many Royal Horticultural Society flower shows is a treat, and 2013 promises to be one of the most memorable years.

The Chelsea Flower Show is celebrating its 100th anniversary and new and exciting features are being introduced.

The Hampton Court Flower Show is set to have a new look: the show grounds are being separated into distinct zones, such as planting design, international horticulture, and garden lifestyle.

All the RHS shows have their own personality, showcasing the best in plants and garden design, advice and demonstrations, fine dining, and lifestyle shopping.!

Let’s start with the biggest flower show in the world: the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Set in 25 acres of magnificent Royal Parkland, the Hampton Court Flower Show is now the biggest annual gardening event in the world and the highlight of the summer season in Britain.

This year, it takes place from Tuesday, Jul 9 to Sunday, Jul 14. It will feature floral displays in a number of huge marquees, including the show gardens, water gardens, a specialist craft village and the British Rose festival.

There are restaurants scattered throughout the show and one can either dine with waiter service and silver cutlery, overlooking the Royal Palace and Long Water, or use the more modest facilities, for snacks and light refreshments, around the extensive grounds.

Gardening enthusiasts will enjoy whichever section they peruse, or, indeed, enjoy any of the expert gardening clinics and demonstrations. As always, a massive number of trade outlets and nurseries will be selling a diverse range of plants and accessories.

The Chelsea Flower Show has always been a more sedate upmarket affair, and it is recognised as the event that starts the ‘official’ London Season. It offers a feast for the eyes in its innovative show gardens (by the world’s leading designers) and breath-taking displays of flowers and plants by specialist nurseries.

It also offers visitors the chance to purchase and order a marvellous selection of gardening products.

This year’s show runs from Tuesday May 25 to Friday, May 28 and all tickets must be booked in advance.

None are available at the gates and there are no concessions, no admission to children under five, and no babes-in-arms.

Other flower shows worth attending include the BBC’s Gardeners’ World Live, which takes place in Birmingham from June 12 to 16, and the RHS Tatton Park Flower Show, which takes place in Manchester from Thursday, Jul 25 to Sunday, Jul 28.

Bookings for all the RHS shows may be had from their home page, WWW.RHS/Home/Gardening. The Birmingham show details are available from Info/BBC Gardeners World Live.