RHS Hampton Court 2016 – a feast for the eyes, the ears and the nose, surrounded by show gardens filled with scented flowers, ornamental grasses, and vibrant colours.
This little review of the Flower Show has lots of photos of the show gardens. Many are looked at from a different angle to the official pics, so you should get a flavour of ‘being there’.
Overall, we were impressed with the variety of show gardens – of which there were forty-two in all. The planting within them followed a range of styles. The hard landscaping – the stone work, raised beds, fencing – also showed a freshness. Although Nathan decided that black was the new purple as a fair amount of the woodwork was painted in this tone.
As it would be a very long blog to go comment fully on all 42 gardens, only some are on show below. But you can see more photos of more gardens and of the Flower Show in general on our Pinterest board, in Flickr album and on Instagram.
Garden Categories
- Show Gardens
- World Gardens
- Water Gardens
- Conceptual Gardens
- Summer Gardens
- City Gardens
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- Feel-good Front Gardens
- Flower Boxes
- Vegetable Boxes
and of course the Festival of Roses Pavilion!
Hampton Court 2016 – Show Gardens
Squires 80th Anniversary Garden
Our favourite bits were the seating area and the antique van…
All the World’s a Stage Garden
This garden was designed in celebration of 400 Years since Shakespeare’s death. We loved the wood edged curving step-seats and the surrounding space with coppiced hazel trees.
We were lucky enough to catch a snippet from A Midsummer Nights Dream with Titania and Bottom.
Dogs Trust: A Dog’s Life Garden
The dog statues were a brilliant touch; it helped make the garden come alive.
You could certainly imagine your canine friends playing in the pool on a hot day as we had for our visit.
World Vision Garden
Waves of grass with trees growing through.
The Botanical Studio Garden
Loved the huge copper planters, filled with lavender and roses. Nathan had to be restrained from leaping into the water (again, in his defence, it was a hot day!)
Hampton Court 2016 – Conceptual Gardens
There were ten Conceptual Gardens, in celebration of the tenth anniversary of this category. These can be difficult gardens to understand, and reading the boards or the show guide may be essential. A bit like some modern art needing an explanation, you could say…
We particularly liked the Striving for Survival Garden, which showed the rise in cancer survival rates. Carbonised / charcoal stalks morphed in to lush planting. Poignant for us as we have a dear friend and a lovely client both going through this experience.
The UNHCR Border Control Garden found us passing through a turnstile to reach an island planted with colourful prairie and wild flowers whilst a teddy bear lay forgotten by the barbed wire fence. 
We liked the interpretation of life as dangerous but beautiful in the Peacemaker Garden.
The Outdoor Room: Inner Demons Garden showcased depression.
In particular, the depressed person as an unreachable rocky island surrounded by lush colourful planting which is the outward face of ‘yes I’m fine’.
Hampton Court 2016 – Water Gardens
Scandinavian Garden, Viking Cruises
WWT Working Wetlands Garden
Hampton Court 2016 – Summer Gardens
The Lavender garden smelt divine, of course
A breath of Fresh Air garden
Nathan eulogised over the curved brickwork. The finishing touch of neat stone edges to the brick wall was an inspired decision.
Hampton Court 2016 – World Gardens
In the World Gardens category there were Great Gardens of the USA – from Charleston, Oregon and Austen
Did you know that it’s 950 years since the Battle of Hastings?
Latin America’s Inca Garden
Most of the plants would be fine in temperate gardens if treated as annuals or tender perennials.
Hampton Court 2016 – The Festival of Roses Pavilion
Just walk in and breathe deeply of the fragrance!
And three Capability Brown Gardens commemorating the 300th Anniversary of the birth of the eponymous landscape designer who could see the ‘capability’ in his client’s estates. More on Lancelot Brown in another blog…
What else did we notice at RHS Hampton Court 2016?
City Gardens
drought garden
Telephone boxes being used as storage and lots of informatioin on greening grey Britian, part of the RHS ongoing campaign – which we support, of course!
And lastly, did you know that the Fire Brigade are celebrating 150 years this year?
As for gardens and the great pavilion in previous years, you could download our eBook,”RHS Hampton Court Flower Show – Plews View 2012-16” Available directly from our website. And if you would like to talk with us about designing your own ‘Hampton Court garden’, please get in touch!
Related Gardening articles you may enjoy from our Award Winning Blog
Garden Visits – Historic Gardens of Hampton Court
Summer Gardens – Questions and Answers
Summer Gardens – Architectural Plants
