Flower and Garden Shows in England 2012

English Flower and Garden Shows by the Royal Horticultural Society:

The English are great gardeners and England is famous the world over for its beautiful gardens and magnificent flower and garden shows. At these events, keen gardeners can discover the beauty and secrets behind English gardens, meet gardening experts, learn about the latest garden designs and pick up some hot tips on recreating the gardens at home.

The RHS Chelsea Flower Show leads the season with the hottest show of all garden shows. However, if you’re not in England in May, there are many other English garden shows throughout the year that you can plan on attending.

The following is the Royal Horticultural Society’s gardening calendar of events.

RHS Chelsea Flower Show (London): May 22-26, 2012

The Chelsea Flower Show is probably the most famous garden show in the world. Held in May every year in the prestigious London borough of Chelsea, this is a floral paradise for all gardening lovers.

If you’re planning on attending this show, book this event in advance as tickets sell out every year and aren’t available at the door. (www.rhs.org.uk)

Holker Garden Festival (Cumbria): June 8-10, 2012

This three day summer festival celebrates the best that gardening has to offer in Cumbria. Set against the stunning background of Holker Hall in the beautiful Lake District, visitors to the festival will enjoy not only the gardens but also the food and natural landscape. (www.holker.co.uk)

The Garden Show (Stansted): June 15-17, 2012

This Stansted Garden Show is a smaller and more intimate event than the larger garden shows. (www.thegardenshowonline.com/)

BBC Gardeners World Live (NEC Birmingham): June 13-17, 2012

A host of English celebrity gardeners celebrate the best of English gardens. The show gardens are a central element of the event, highlighting the latest garden designs and showing exactly what can be done with a bit of imagination in an outdoor space. Not to be missed this year is the RHS Floral Marquee where you’ll find thousands of plants and specialist growers. (www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com/)

Hampton Court Palace Show (London): July 3-8, 2012

The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is set in the spectacular grounds of Hampton Court Palace against the magnificent backdrop of Henry VIII’s former home. 2012 is the 22nd anniversary of this garden show. With its magnificent formal gardens the show provides plenty of ideas on how to grow your own English garden. Why not also visit Hampton Court Palace and see where Henry VIII wooed his many wives.
(www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/Hampton-Court-Palace-Flower-Show/2012)

RHS Tatton Park (Cheshire): July 18-22, 2012

Cheshire’s summer festival is set in the beautiful Tatton Park, a riot of colours at this time. (www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Show-Tatton-Park/2012)

Malvern Autumn Show (Malvern): September 29-30, 2012)

You can see the real rural England in its autumn colours at the Malvern Autum Garden and Country show. This country show brings together fantastic gardening ideas, delicious regional food and drink, big vegetable competitions, the best of the local harvests as well as a wide range of plants and ideas, arts and crafts. This is a great opportunity to meet the locals as well. (www.threecounties.co.uk/malvernautumn/)

RHS London Autumn Harvest Show (London): October 2012 – TBC

The annual autumn flower show features an autumn fruit and vegetable competition and ornamental plant competitions, with the latest international garden design ideas from industry experts and the opportunity to taste and buy seasonal plants and produce. Also get top tips on which autumn bulbs you should be planting. (www.rhs.org.uk)

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