Prepare to be dazzled at ‘Garden Party of the North’
THE ‘Garden Party of the North’ is getting under way at Tatton Park today as the RHS Flower Show opens its floral extravaganza to the public.
We headed along for a sneak preview yesterday, and were impressed by the dazzling array of floral displays.
There are lots of futuristic gardens this year, as well as exhibitors aiming to tackle the issues of climate change with gardens to tackle flooding.
Urban gardening is also a key theme, with a special ‘bus stop boulevard’ featuring displays created by a host of communities from Greater Manchester.
Here’s our pick of the gardens and exhibits not to be missed at the event, which runs from Wednesday until Sunday at Tatton Park:
The future spaces gardens
Do not leave without seeing the Future Spaces gardens – which include a garden beamed into the future year 2101 by Wigan gardener Michael McGarr.
Peppered with huge cacti plants, the garden aims to show both the opportunities and constraints in gardening 100 years in the future and won a Gold Award for Michael and his team.
There’s also a splendid split level Live Garden with an amazing balcony next to the Egerton Clump.
The Tatton mini-maze
Tatton Park’s head gardener has created a real talking point this year with a mini version of Tatton Park’s famous maze on the show ground.
Families will be able to wander through the ivy walls of the maze, and spy different quirky features that Tatton is known for - the likes of deer antlers, an afternoon tea. It’s like a miniature Tatton rolled into 20 square metres.
Show gardens
Look out for the gold medal winners, including the United Utilities’ Slow the Flow garden which aims to show how you can capture, retain and slow the flow of rainfall. Also Facing Fear – Finding Hope, a garden designed to raise awareness of the charity Crohn’s and Colitis UK.
Back-to-back gardens
The back-to-back gardens are back this year, producing an array of colour to walk around.
Don’t miss the selection from the gardeners behind Cheshire Gardens of Distinction, from the gardeners behind Cheshire’s stately homes Cholmondeley Castle and Arley Hall.
The bus stop boulevard
New this year, there’s a parade of bus stops that have been colourfully adorned with blooms from a host of community groups in Greater Manchester. Look out for the Pride in Manchester bus stop complete with rainbow hued plants. Oh, and the bus stop wouldn’t be complete without a bus – a big red bus that serves Pimm’s no less!
Floral Marquee
Every year the blooms are astounding, and this year is no exception. Prepare to be wowed by the displays of roses, chrysanthemums, lilies and dramatic aliums.
Giant bugs
There’s a family trail at this year’s show, which will lead you and the young ’uns to four giant bug sculptures - including an enormous woven willow bee and a giant 16 ft tall spider sculpture. These are also close to the school gardens and some impressive towering floral sculptures knitted into blooms.
The butterfly dome
As you will see (above) the butterfly dome is going to be quite a talking point at this year’s show! A colourful array of blooms that provide the food for tropical butterflies, which will be flying all around when you enter. There’s also a great display on the way in on the butterfly’s life cycle.