What’s on at RHS Tatton Park 2018

Celebrating 20 years in Cheshire, the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2018 is bigger and better than ever before this year

RHS Young Garden Designer winner 2017, Ula Maria Credit: Mark Waugh/RHS (Image: © RHS)

From 18-22 July, the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Flower Show Tatton Park, supported by Bruntwood, will return to Knutsford’s 1,000 acre deer park with a bumper year to celebrate the Show’s 20th anniversary, featuring an array of new content from the scary to the spectacular.

Particularly exciting for those of us with a slightly morbid bent, tor the very first time, is the arrival of ‘The Poisonous Garden’, where we can discover the gruesome and sometimes deadly nature of the UK’s best loved plants. Show-goers will also have the chance to get dangerously close to carnivorous plants and their prey, and learn more about the myths and folklore surrounding our ancient flora.

The Poison Garden illustration Credit: Tim Sandall/RHS (Image: Archant)

The garden, created by the RHS and Gold medal winning designers Warnes McGarr, will be safely housed in reused shipping containers, each playing host to the different treacherous and peculiar plant subjects on display. Talks, tours and demonstrations will take place throughout the show courtesy of poisonous plant expert Michael Brown and ‘Mr Plant Geek’ Michael Perry.

In complete opposition to the darker side of botany, visitors will be offered a picture perfect opportunity to walk through a huge sunshine field of over 5000 Rudbeckia hirta Prairie Sun, or Black Eyed Susan, arranged in the shape of their extra-large daisy like flower.

20 Years of RHS Tatton Park Credit: Mark Waugh/RHS (Image: MARK WAUGH / RHS)

For budding florists, new for 2018, The Flower School offers a creative, hands-on experience with an array of talks and workshops on everything floral from flower crowns to growing your own cut flower patch. Florists and nurseries will be creating seven foot high flower towers, giving show goers the opportunity to vote for their favourite on social media throughout the week. Expert advice will be on hand from local growers Flowers from the Farm and Country Baskets, and florist to the stars Simon Lycett will host an interactive floristry demonstration, inviting members of the audience to join him in creating a florally fabulous installation in celebration of all things British.

Other highlights at the 20th anniversary Show include the new festival-themed Green Fields area full of family friendly entertainment, grow your own gardening and art inspired activities. The Flower Power Beds will mark the return of the North West’s much loved flower bed competition for one year only, with some of the most flamboyant and colourful planting visitors have ever seen.

Gardens of all shapes and sizes will once again adorn the showground including Show, Back to Back and the popular RHS Young Designer gardens, which celebrate their tenth anniversary this year. Other favourites being welcomed back to the show include the Feast Theatre, Floral Marquee, Country Living Pavilion and popular Bus Stop Boulevard, supported by Transport for Greater Manchester.

Friday 20 July will take full focus of the 20 year celebrations as a birthday party and colourful parade steal the Show.

RHS Flower Show Tatton Park will run from 18 – 22 July. Tickets can be bought at www.rhs.org.uk/tatton