RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

June 30 2015 | Garden

The Hever Castle gardeners were delighted to assist in the landscaping of a large show garden at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Designed by Jean Wardrop and Alexandra Stevenson, A Growing Obsession – the Yardley London Perennial Garden is inspired by the Victorian English Garden, recreating the elegance of a ladies’ flower garden.

‘A Growing Obsession’ is inspired by the writings and botanical illustrations of Jane Loudon; the first female garden writer in the Victorian era. The 1800s led to Britain’s passion for gardening – and to its democratisation. In the spirit of 19th century design, this garden restoration is to be admired from the terrace. Gently banked Victorian style flowerbeds exhibit floral scroll bedding patterns alongside paths for promenading. Cooling ferneries are set into rockeries, a fashionable garden accessory of the time. The glasshouse hosts exotics that echo the golden age of plant hunting.

The stunning show garden celebrates women’s influence in gardening since the Victorian era in a collaboration between quintessentially English floral fragrance house Yardley London and long-standing charity for horticulturists Perennial, both of which have roots firmly planted in British floral heritage.

Great supporters of Perennial for many years, the Hever Castle team previously assisted in the planting of an award winning garden at the 2014 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. When they were invited to once again help with the creation of a garden at such a prestigious flower show, the Hever Castle gardeners relished the opportunity.

Popular gardening presenter Rachel de Thame visited Hever Castle recently to film a segment on the show garden for the BBC2’s coverage of the RHS Hampton Palace Court Flower Show. She was joined by the designers to tell the history of Jane Loudon and look at the elements of their show garden design that are magnificently represented at Hever Castle & Gardens.

The 2015 RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show takes place from 30 June – 5 July.