A look ahead to the 2014 RHS Tatton Park Flower Show

It seems everyone’s getting excited about the region’s biggest garden event, including fashion students. Are you ready for RHS Tatton?

RHS Tatton 2013 (Image: MARK WAUGH)

Both fashion and flowers will be blooming at the North West’s largest horticultural event. The RHS Tatton Park Flower Show returns once again to Knutsford’s stunning parkland this month. The annual event will be an inspiration for those with green fingers, or just a perfect day out for those who love to admire all things floral.

The show will once again reflect themes of ‘Grow, Escape, Inspire and Feast’. The four zones, which will be a combination of gardens, plants, shopping and food, will run alongside lively events and attractions across the four days.

A highlight within the Inspire zone is the themed gardens. With dramatic and creative designs evoking earth, wind, fire and water, exhibitors from across the UK are showcasing what the elements mean to them. Many of these gardens hail from our county, including Michael Vinsun’s creation. A contractor in Congleton, his design is based on an upland garden with local Kerridge stone forming a central feature wall, which breaks down into a waterfall. Plantings either side represent fire, utilising reds and yellows in an intense colour theme, and earth, where native wild flowers, grasses and mosses predominate. Sculptural representations of wind will also feature throughout the garden.

Friday sees the popular Ladies’ Day take front and centre stage, with several fashionable events and talks for those who want a break from looking at the flowers. There will be talks from inspiring women in horticulture, including Emma Thomson, a development manager at the natural skincare brand L’Occitane, and a horticultural-influenced fashion show in collaboration with the Manchester School of Art.

Camilla Grimes (Image: not Archant)

Joe McCullagh, their Head of Department of Design, said: ‘Manchester School of Art has been working to produce a catwalk show for Ladies’ Day at the Tatton for the past four years. The collaboration goes from strength to strength and is always packed with visitors looking for the latest designs and influences from our talented fashion design students.

‘Being part of RHS Tatton Ladies’ Day enables our graduates to gain a great deal of exposure to a wider audience, while visitors have the chance to see the professional designers of the future.’

Victoria Horden (Image: not Archant)

Don’t miss...…

RHS Young Designer of the Year

Now in its sixth year, 2014’s competition features designs themed around the concept of avant-gardening. View the gardens of these budding designers who have received practical support and guidance from multiple RHS Gold medal winner Paul Hervey-Brookes. The three finalists also received a RHS grant of £12,000 towards their own garden.

Cat Potter (Image: not Archant)

Winsford Education Partnership School Gardens

Continuing the topic of up-and-coming young gardeners, this popular event returns once again this year. Green-fingered pupils from 16 schools across the North West will be exhibiting their own gardens, all with a the theme of storytelling.

Great Taste Food Market

Showcasing produce from the surrounding farms of Tatton, this artisan food market will give visitors a taste of true Cheshire.

Visitors will have the opportunity to sample and purchase the best cheeses, various delicatessen produce and the finest oils and condiments.

Carnival parade

Be sure to catch this lively, floral parade with runs through show twice a day. Organised by Cabasa Carnival Arts, gaze at the colourful moving elements and floral umbrellas accompanied by the toe tapping percussion marching band.

Better still; why not get a bird’s eye view of the parade from the flowery ferris wheel in the Escape zone?

Plant Village

Plant lovers who have been inspired by the displays and garden designs at RHS Tatton can pick up their favourite blooms and buds from the plant village.

With 19 stands to choose from, you’ll see a fantastic range of horticultural delights from the best North West nurseries.

RHS Flower Show, Tatton Park

July 23-27, Tatton Park, Knutsford, Cheshire

Tickets from £20 to £29.50. Children under 16 go free.

To buy tickets: www.rhs.org.uk/tatton or 0844 338 7546