The greatest garden event in the north

The Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Flower Show Tatton Park (19 – 23 July), supported by Bruntwood, is set to stun as it celebrates its nineteenth year.

One of the biggest highlights of the 2017 Show will be a huge (283m2) tropical Butterfly Dome, giving visitors a rare opportunity to walk among thousands of exotic butterflies as they are transported into a lush paradise, reminiscent of the butterflies’ natural habitat.

Kris Hulewicz, Show Manager said: “we can’t wait to start shouting about this years’ show. With an exotic butterfly dome, inspirational gardens, a wealth of young talent and everything in between, RHS Tatton Park is set to be bigger and better than ever before! Watch this space for more exciting announcements still to come…”

Gardens are at the heart of the Show, including an emotive Show Garden in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK, by design team Denise Shields, Rory Tompsett and Peter Hulland. The garden illustrates the journey of many Crohn’s sufferers, and was inspired by years of experiencing the devastating effects of Crohn’s Disease on Denise’s son, Callum.

Familiar faces are welcomed back in the Show Gardens category this year as RHS Young Designer 2016 finalist Lilly Gomm returns with a garden inspired by the ever-widening gap between income and house prices, creating a ‘fantasy’ back garden sadly never to be owned.

After three years of exhibiting at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Lancashire based John Everiss steps back on to local soil with a design to tackle increasing flooding problems. A practical front garden space with a contemporary style, it features a porous, concrete beam walkway leading to a green-roof-covered front door. Water passes down a chain gutter into a water tank surrounded by rich green planting.

The new Future Spaces category offers a sneak peek into the future of urban gardens, as designers are encouraged to forget conventional concepts and design for the future. Martin Williams and Dan Newbury demonstrate the growing need for multiple spaces with their three-tiered garden, featuring a solitary lower level and a central level to entertain, while the top floor provides a prospective and contemplative atmosphere.

Popular Back to Back Gardens return with big ideas for small spaces, as Lara Behr creates a garden for Macmillan with planting demonstrating the positive effects of the charity’s support, utilising elements of nature that provide comfort such as colour, scent and texture.

Local designer Barry Grain draws inspiration from the romantic feel of Cholmondeley gardens, with a sandstone wall dividing two very different spaces, evocative of the garden walls featured in the castle’s grounds.

Visitors can garner advice from gardening experts and TV personalities Monty Don and Carol Klein in the Talks Theatre, and wildlife will take centre stage with giant bug sculptures and floral bug displays in the Floral Design Studio.

Continuing to strengthen RHS Tatton Park’s support for youth in horticulture, the RHS Young Designer competition returns for its ninth year, along with the RHS Young Planting Designer and Landscape Contractor competition, supported by BALI and 18 local Schools create miniature gardens inspired by their favourite wildlife characters.

The show will run from 19 – 23 July, for further information, please visit: www.rhs.org.uk/tatton