I am just back from Tatton Park Flower Show in Cheshire. For me it’s probably the last consumer flower show of the season, though there are a few more before the season finishes.
It was a busy show for everyone, but it was a great spectacle of horticultural excellence. I was amazed how many gardens there were to inspire the visitors.
The Young Garden Designer of the Year was staged and judged at this year’s show.
It was a first for Tatton, and caused a little controversy because the winners Albert Dock Garden, not only crowned Hugo Bugg as the first RHS Young Designer of the Year, but was also declared Best Show Garden, beating many more experienced garden designers to the title.
What an accolade.
For me one of the most thought provoking garden was the My Great Garden. It wasn’t a horticultural wonder and many may have passed it by.
The garden showed the two sides of garden at a Manchester Housing estate.
One part was derelict and a magnet for antisocial behaviour. The other side shows how one community has risen to the challenge and made a difference to their space by caring for their plots.
I spoke to one volunteer who told me that where before she only spoke to her neighbours when there was a problem, she now helps them with their gardens and loves gardening herself.
Result!
You can read more about Tatton Park Flower Show here http://www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events/RHS-Show-Tatton-Park/2010
