The RHS Sandringham Flower Show is underway, running from 22nd to 26 July, at the royal estate in Norfolk, featuring show gardens, talks, and exciting one-off exhibits, including long borders and upcycled containers.
One must-see garden is the RNIB Talking Books Garden by Paul Hervey-Brookes, celebrating the RNIB’s free Talking Books service for people with sight loss, which has won Best Show Garden and Best Construction Award, and a gold medal.
The RHS Royal Legacy Garden, designed by Catherine MacDonald, celebrates the King’s horticultural legacy, pioneering approach to environmental issues, and championing skilled gardeners, with nods to HM King Charles III and Queen Camilla throughout the show.
The King and Queen’s florist, Shane Connolly, is also creating a floral tablescape for the show, called A Royal Dinner in the Garden, which hints at the dinner table arrangements he has previously created at Sandringham, and uses only plants picked from the estate.
HM King Charles III and Queen Camilla presented some awards at the show, including The Queen’s Choice of Upcycled Containers and The Queen’s Special Award.
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The importance of biodiversity in garden design is in focus at RHS Sandringham, as The Mindful Chef’s Gathering garden by Sophie Godber earned The King’s Biodiversity Award, and a gold medal, showcasing naturalistic and edible planting that supports pollinators, birds, and insects.
Visitors can spot plenty of other biodiverse planting schemes across the showground, particularly in the Grow Forward gardens, which demonstrate ways to improve gardens and help mitigate against climate change.
The show also features a border competition, which isn’t at a lot of the other shows, with problem-solving designs created by horticultural students and aspiring garden designers, demonstrating wildlife-supporting schemes with a nod to Norfolk and the restorative aspect of green spaces.
The show features many award-winning gardens and exhibits, including the RNIB Talking Books Garden and Roualeyn Fuchsias, showcasing the best of garden design and horticulture, and providing inspiration for visitors to take back to their own gardens.
It is a show.
