Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (Part 1)

This is the front of Hampton Court Palace from a pontoon bridge over the north long water. The bridges are only in place for the show, as the long water has beautiful fountains in it.

SOME OF THESE PICTURES WERE TAKEN WITH A WIDE ANGLE LENS AT LONG DISTANCE. PLEASE ENLARGE THEM TO SEE THEM AT FULL SIZE.

Here are some of the palace gardens that are always kept like this by the dedicated team of the Royal Historic Palaces. You will see this before you even get to the show. Now this is what I call a border.

To me this is quite wonderful and suits the atmosphere of this most historic place.

Of course the gardens have evolved over time, apart from the largest and most complicated maze you have ever seen, which has not. Going now from the Tudor gardens, there are also the formal Tudor gardens here, to Victorian bedding.

Although already wet, it started to rain and it hardly stopped all day. This poor gentleman was trying to get some drainage to let the water out of his stand.

The more it rained the more people took cover in the marquee which was the size of four football fields, until one side flooded! I had to keep demisting my camera as the heat and humidity was intense. But let us start with the show and enough about the weather. Delphiniums are always a favourite and there were plenty of them on show.

I love chrysanthemums as they grow so well in the UK. These are very nice. Unlike the Chelsea Flower Show, each stand has one side that can sell plants to the public. This is not allowed at Chelsea till after the show is finished at the end of the week.

This stand caught my eye for the chrysanthemums were very good.

Gladioli are so loved by the public and gardeners alike; easy to grow and what more colour do you want than this?

What a truly delightful sight these were. There were so many gladioli in one place, how wonderful to see.

The British have an affinity for sweet peas, why I do not know. It was the Queen mother's favourite flower. Maybe the scent of a fresh bunch of sweet peas is the reason. This nursery is always at Chelsea and is one of the best there is. Just look at these.

People love pansies and forget where they came from! The humble viola is such a wonderful and extremely hardy plant, if only more people would grow them! Here are some at the show, are these not dainty and pretty? I think so.

There were so many lily stands you could have got lost amongst them. How about this for a lily mountain?

Amongst the plethora of stands I found some lilies I liked, so here they are.

I did like the 'Big Brother' lily, why I am not sure, but I liked it!

There were hundreds to look at and buy, but these two would suit me!

For fuchsia lovers this was heaven! Lots of gorgeous plants, and so many at very cheap prices. Even I was tempted but could not carry plants with my camera gear as well.

How these stands could take the weight amazed me. I am just happy that so many people were buying them.

A real delight for anyone who loves these most wonderful plants!

A bit of self indulgence now, for I adore Eremurus or the foxtail lily. It grows here by the side of Gunnera maniculta and they look spectacular together in a water garden!

Most people have a shady place in their garden, and what could be better than a heuchera. So for all of the fans of this wonderful plant, here are some for you.

These two I liked as well, although 'Southern Comfort' has really caught my attention!

Streptocarpus or the cape primrose is such a gorgeous plant. As a house plant it is easy and flowers in profusion. Why people do not grow these is strange to me, for look how lovely they are.

There is always a big crowd at the hosta stands, and this year was no exception.  Everyone seems to be interested in the mouse ears hostas, so here are some for you to see.

More on the Hosta stand and a R.H.S. Gold Medal for this stand.

Coleus lovers could have serious fun here. I like coleus as they are often used as bedding plants in the UK.

More fun with coleus, then my camera steamed up again!

The famed David Austin Rose display. I must admit it was very nicely done.

The alium was superb, what a lovely display of this gorgeous plant.

For me, here is the star in the show, a horse made from plants. Take a closer look and you will see this wonder.

Even this dog was amazing.

Thank you for coming on a rather muddy trip through a magnificent place. The history of this place is immense. Queen Anne Boleyn lived here, but not for long! The list is endless and tennis was invented here as well.

I hope you can join me in part 2, as there is a lot more to see including the show gardens, carnivorous plants and much more.

Regards.

Neil.

Part 2.

Part 3

Links.

R.H.S. Hampton Court.

TFL.

For Nancy.