My Garden

Which Flower Show?

Last post 21-07-2009 10:59 AM by gardenplanters. 15 replies.

• 11/06/2008 10:06 AM

  Buttercup Location: Scotland Joined on: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 5

  Reply | Contact  Hi there, I wonder if you could offer me some advice?  This year I went to the Scottish show at Ingliston with my mum.  We quite enjoyed it, but decided that we'd like to go to a bigger event next year.  My question is which show would experienced show go-ers recommend for show novices like us? A few point to consider; we live in Scotland and we can travel, but obviously there are some practicalities to consider, we are interested in garden design and plants, not really in buying loppers and wrought iron furniture and we are not members of the RHS (but this could and possibly should be rectified), we are fit and active and are not afraid of schlepping round for hours and we'd probably like a leetle plant or two to buy, just as a memeto you understand .   Any advice appreciated, thanks.

• 11/06/2008 07:02 PM	In reply to
  filippo lippi Location: Nottingham Joined on: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 297	Reply | Contact I think you've gots to give Chelsea a go, it is spectacular ------------------- Ow! My most of me!

• 12/06/2008 10:27 AM

  In reply to

  Linnea Location: Hampshire Joined on: 10 Jan 2008 Posts: 48

  Reply | Contact whilst chelsea is the "flagship" show for the RHS i didn't think you could buy plants whilst on site? Personally I like Hampton Court it has a good range of gardens on display and you can purchase the plants you like. it has lots of nursery stalls with knowledgeable staff and a range of accessory stalls too. I have never found it completely jam packed so you can always get a good look at the gardens and the site is bigger than chelsea

• 12/06/2008 11:55 AM	In reply to
  sue1002 Location: Ipswich, Suffolk Joined on: 06 Sep 2005 Posts: 5,145	Reply | Contact  We went to Chelsea last year, and bought some lily bulbs in the pavilion from one of the exhibitors.  Other stands in there sell seeds and you can place orders for plants and bulbs to be posted out to you.   I think the only day you can actually buy plants is the Saturday and they will be the ones that have been used in the show gardens.  sue1002

• 12/06/2008 01:37 PM	In reply to
  Figwort Location: Peterborough Joined on: 20 Dec 2007 Posts: 258	Reply | Contact The easiest one to get to from Scotland is Tatton Park in late July. Lots of Chelsea exhibitors there and you can buy plants and everything else on offer. There are never any problems in gardening - just opportunities! Geoff Hodge www.gardenforum.demon.co.uk

• 12/06/2008 03:48 PM	In reply to
  Buttercup Location: Scotland Joined on: 06 Jun 2008 Posts: 5	Reply | Contact Thanks for all the suggestions.  I quite fancied Tatton Park, is that the one Joe Swift had a show garden at?

• 12/06/2008 03:52 PM	In reply to
  David Location: Joined on: 25 Mar 2005 Posts: 128	Reply | Contact   David. Member 29971

• 01/08/2008 12:19 PM

  In reply to

  BluebellsGalore Location: London Joined on: 08 Apr 2008 Posts: 16

  Reply | Contact  Hello, I know your post is from a couple of months ago, but thought I'd offer my thoughts. In terms of garden design Chelsea is the best to go to.  I have been to all 3 of the RHS larger shows - Chelsea, Hampton Court & Tatton Park - & Chelsea is hands down for the design world.  It has the highest profile & will have the more innovative designers/designs there.   In terms of plants, in my opinion, Tatton Park had far more plant stalls/nurseries selling plants than at Chelsea or Hampton Court.  But Chelsea & Hampton Ct still have plants for sale.  Also, keep in mind that if you go on the final day of any show you can purchase plants from most of the show gardens as they are being broken down.  So, even though there may not be as many stalls selling plants at Chelsea or Hampton Court, you may still be able to buy that special specimen on the Sunday.  When you are at the show ask someone at the stall/show garden if they will be selling off plants & mention which you like/possibly want.  They may even hold them aside for you once breakdown begins.  The horticultural/design college gardens are a great place to do that. Keep in mind an outing to either Chelsea or Hampton Court will be pricey.  Your return trip there will of course cost & accommodation in the area will be steep London prices - & depending how close/far you stay to the showground you'll have to add in travel costs to get there/back too.  So, if your budget is tight, perhaps start with Tatton Park.  If you feel you can splurge a bit & can book what you can in advance to save some money, then I'd suggest going to Chelsea. Hope that helps :)

• 20/11/2008 09:51 AM

  In reply to

  Sue Location: Loughton, Essex Joined on: 20 Nov 2008 Posts: 7

  Reply | Contact Hi, I am a new member of the forum - I've only just discovered it even though I have been a RHS member for years!  This question is a little old, but I go to Shrewsbury every year for the flower show and have been doing that for years too.  It isn't just a flower show, there are entertainers for the grandchildren, army bands playing on the bandstand, class A showjumping, gardening experts like Chris Beardshaw, who is really friendly and chats to everyone. There are also marquees stuffed full of plants, veg, honey, wine and so on.Each day ends with the massed army bands playing and a huge firework display. There is even a craft fair. We live in south-west Essex and drive over there.  I am a member of the Shrewsbury Horticultural Society, which gives you cheaper all day entry for both days and there is so much to see and do, you need two days. You also get to use the Members marquee, their food service and the members' only loos!  My husband isn't much of a gardener and he spends Saturday walking over the Shropshire hills - it is so well worth a trip and a lot cheaper than many of the shows around. When you are on a limited income you cannot afford to visit Chelsea and many of the other shows, but we turn Shrewsbury into our holiday and book our hotel place a year in advance. Hope this helps, Sue

• 27/02/2009 11:44 PM

  In reply to

  Freespirit Location: Shropshire Joined on: 27 Feb 2009 Posts: 2

  Reply | Contact Also a new member of the forum and I can agree wth the comments about Shrewsbury Flower Show, having attended the show for many years  Equally enjoyable and very similar is the Southport Flower Show although having to park on the beach, expansive though it is, may not be everyone's cup of tea!  Whilst garden design may not be a feature of either of the two shows, there are many well known exhibitors at both, exhibits to enjoy and masses of plants and seeds on sale

• 15/04/2009 09:18 PM	In reply to
  Petal Location: Shrewsbury Joined on: 15 Apr 2009 Posts: 1	Reply | Contact I can't agree more with the last two comments and as pictures speak louder than words here is a link to a youtube video of the best bits of the show in 2008 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXrmSrBaZKQ

• 21/04/2009 06:59 PM	In reply to
  Geoff Hedge Location: Welsh Harp Joined on: 21 Apr 2009 Posts: 2	Reply | Contact  Although new to these Forum things I have been an RHS member since 2005 But, in these depressed times its good to see that all the full day tickets for the Chelsea F C members privilege days have been sold. Next year I shall apply earlier. Is it going to be on Santana TV like the cricket?

• 20/05/2009 05:49 PM

  In reply to

  Send A Cow Location: Bath Joined on: 20 May 2009 Posts: 1

  Reply | Contact I thought i would ask to see if anyone was heading to the NEC in Birmingham for Gardeners' World Live 2009 this year? We have a feature garden this year called "Learning From Africa." Absolutely everything is recycled in the garden and it's packed full of great ideas to help people make the best of their resources - growing in small space (bag gardens/keyhole gardens), organic tips -plant tea, composting, we're even thinking of having goldfish in the water butts (they poo and make the water full of nutrients for you to water the plants with...!). People will also have the chance to win the recycled scarecrow in the show garden (made by Riverford) and an African farmer will be coming over to the show so people can talk to someone first hand about African techniques. More info here http://www.sendacow.org.uk

• 19/06/2009 04:01 PM

  In reply to

  Nevada gardener Location: Northern Nevada, USA Joined on: 11 Jun 2009 Posts: 6

  Reply | Contact   I'm also a new member of the forum, having just joined this month.  My husband and I went to Chelsea this year and I hope to go back next year with a friend.  Since we live in the western US, we almost have to start planning now for 2010.  My question is, when do non-RHS member tickets become available?  Is there a way (possibly an e-mail subscriber list) to be notified when they become availalbe?  Thanks so much.  Marilyn

• 08/07/2009 10:58 AM

  In reply to

  David Location: Sevenoaks Joined on: 11 May 2009 Posts: 98

  Reply | Contact Marilyn. According to the catalogue for this years Hampton Court Flower Show the dates for Chelsea 2010 are May 25th to 29th. Assuming normal patterns the first two days would be reserved for members so that the public days are 27th /29th. Tickets are normally offered on the RHS website from around the last week of October and would normally be sold out about four weeks before the event.  Member 29971