Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

A day out to the Hampton Court Flower Show always starts at the bridge when we board one of the Turks Launches to make the short journey along the Thames to the entrance to the showground.  It is a bit of an indulgence, but saves the legs for all the walking that lies ahead during the day.

First garden I come across is surrounded by a massive crowd watching Monty Don and Rachael de Thame filming a piece for the BBC.

 It wasn't long until the pac-a-macs and umbrellas came out, but a few drops of rain doesn't dampen the spirit of gardeners.

Especially when you see this beautiful vision against the black sky.  It may be life-like, but it is actually made of glass.

Contemporary garden design combined with traditional plants and materials by Imogen Cox.

Best Show Garden was designed by Anoushka Feiler.  Entitled Bridge Over Troubled Water, the garden takes you on a journey that represents freedom from the symptoms of Overactive Bladder (OAB), a condition that affects more than seven million adults in the UK

I can imagine how cool and serene this place would be on a hot sunny day.  Entitled The Italian Job, I wish I was there!

A garden for Dyslexia Action, tackling the issue and overcoming barriers to learning.  The two interlocking squares are dissected by a path through the centre and a jagged slate circle and dark pool represent the journey to diagnosis.

Entitled Contemporary Contemplation, this garden is very simple but stylish.

The winner of the Best Low Cost High Impact Garden is a relaxing chill out space with a semi-sunken area which doubles as seating.  Using reclaimed scaffold boards and split logs to reduce costs, carefully placed sculpture and delicately mixed shrubs and perennials, this is the perfect outdoor space to entertain or relax.

There are always so many new ideas to see every year, whether it be on colour and design or the mix of plants.

Now is this what happens to post boxes when we use the internet too much?!

This is The Edible Bus Stop providing an eye catching "Riot of Colour".  Inspired by the events of last summer, this installation sends the message that cities gain immense benefits from green spaces.  Designed by  Will Sandy, he hopes this will raise the profile of the need to use neglected public spaces more productively and show that small spaces can be transformed into neighbourhood hubs.

Isn't this just a wonderful idea for a bench!

And graffiti has its part in brightening up a concrete wall.

Gentle messages carved into benches and scrolls around the garden.

This exhibitor manages to complete another commission whilst manning his stand.

I think I could do with one of these massive exotic parasols to cheer the gloomy day.

As I stepped around a corner into the food outlet area, there was a bandstand with this happy group playing some cheerful Caribbean music.

Unfortunately only a few people braved the weather, but well done to the band they kept up the happy music.

This is the new trend for back gardens, no not to cover your house with grass, this is easigrass.  The option for artificial grass in those difficult to cultivate areas, has become a bit more tempting when this is so like the real thing.

Urban Oasis, designed by Chris Beardshaw shows how a city landscape can be changed by a little community care.

Note the perfectly designed 'bug box'.

A garden of garlic!

Where did he go?

A very Royal occasion for the Palace.

The marquees have displays to suit all tastes.

Waitrose show us how a strawberry should look.

Beware!

Perfect.

This chap has the right idea on getting his plants home!

Preserving the Community, a small piece of wasteland brought back to life for the benefit of the whole community.

What a great idea for a candleabra!

Winner of the category of Best Summer Garden was designed by Catherine MacDonald.She  was inspired by the aspects of the High Line in New York and the linear park created by the refurbishment of a derelict elevated railway line.  The relaxing Landform Garden is a contemporary and functional garden with a sunken seating area and a lovely combination of colours.

Falling Leaves by Plumpton College is such a restful calm space.

The scarecrow competition, based on the theme of sporting champions, produced some wonderful entries from schools in the South East.

Crossing the Long Water which is normally a regal expanse of water leading to the fountains at the Kingston end of the park,

These guys were oblivious to the rain.

In the Conceptual gardens category, I am sorry to say 'Chaos' was one that I did not feel the need to dwell on.  The textured blocks, water and duckweed obviously made a statement and that is where it stops with me.

A little piece of Switzerland blended perfectly with the great trees of Hampton Court Palace.

An elaborate floral display

My ideal garden - as I left the show wrapped in waterproofs, this display by one of the nurseries brought a smile to my damp face.

As ever, the Flower Show is a really great day out.  The RHS have managed to tweak it every year to appeal to everyone and make the experience ever more enjoyable.  I went to the first show held in the Palace grounds, sponsored by Historic Palaces and Network Southeast in 1990.  It was a memorable event, but more like a village fete compared to the enormity of todays event.  In 1993 it was taken over by the Royal Horticultural Society and now the 34 acres next to the River Thames has developed into the world's largest flower show, and the very best.