The heat is on for big RHS spectacle
FINAL TOUCHES BEING MADE AT TATTON PARK FOR FLOWER SHOW
THE final preparations for this year’s RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park are underway - with gardeners working in sweltering conditions to create the perfect floral exhibitions.
The annual horticultural extravaganza is celebrating its 20th anniversary at Tatton which will be reflected in 20 spectacular show gardens.
It will include a splendid JW Lees Beer Garden - where flowers will emulate a pouring pint - and directly opposite a Manchester Gin Garden packed with lots of botanical plants that would enhance your gin and tonic.
Gardeners have been working throughout the heatwave for the past six weeks, which has brought its own challenges - but will offer a wealth of colourful blooms that would usually flower later in the season.
The show opens on Wednesday with the RHS members day, before opening to the public from Thursday through to Sunday - when the show ends with the ever-popular plant sales.
Highlights this year will include a vast “poisonous garden” where visitors can discover the gruesome and deadly nature of some of the UK’s best loved plants.
Daring visitors can surround themselves with peril as plants and flowers drip from the ceiling in the ‘poison tunnel’ or get lured in by pretty plants that have a hidden deadly charm, such as toxic foxgloves and Angel’s Trumpet, which if ingested causes its victim to drift into a fatal sleep.
Visitors will be offered a picture perfect opportunity to walk through a huge sunshine field of over 5000 Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Sun arranged in the shape of their extra-large daisy like flower. Also known as ‘Black-Eyed Susan,’ this bright yellow flower with its ray like petals and dark centre will be grown by Coventry-based Baginton Nurseries.
There will also be a special garden created by BBC North West Tonight that champions the resilience of the people of Manchester after the devastating Arena bombing of May 22, 2017.
The Flower Power Beds will mark the return of the North West’s much loved flower bed competition for one year only, with some of the most flamboyant and colourful planting visitors have ever seen.
Friday’s show day will take full focus of the 20 year celebrations as a birthday party and parade steal the show.
Isobel Coulter, RHS Tatton Park Show Manager says: “This year is set to be one of the most exciting we have ever seen at RHS Tatton Park as we celebrate a whopping 20 years of a colourful, friendly and fun day out! Full of innovative design, hands-on gardening, youth in horticulture, and some of the best growers in the country, 2018 encapsulates exactly what RHS Tatton is all about.
“We look forward to welcoming visitors old and new to join us for a bumper birthday celebration.”
Tickets from rhs.org,uk/tatton