The Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival is championing inclusive gardening and will celebrate the healing power of trees in the grounds of Hampton Court Palace from 4 to 9 July 2022.
The relaxed festival atmosphere is the perfect summer’s day out to discover new flowers and plants, gardening advice or to enjoy the exquisite location surrounded by nature’s splendour.
New areas are being introduced for 2022 that will appeal to a wide range of interests, from families with budding young growers to foodie fans.
The River Cottage Market Garden is an immersive walk-through garden, designed by their Head Gardener Adam Crofts that will focus on growing organic vegetables, fruit trees, botanicals and wildflowers for pollinators. This new area will showcase country crafts, including beekeeping and willow weaving as well as the pleasure of cooking and eating outdoors. Founded by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, River Cottage’s commitment to the ethical and sustainable production of food aligns with the RHS’s Planet-Friendly Gardening campaign to encourage everyone to make small steps that will make a global impact.
For anyone needing encouragement to begin their gardening journey, the Get Started gardens aim to inspire people of all ages and abilities to get planting whatever their budget, lifestyle or space. Self-taught gardener Sue Kent recently retired as a massage therapist to concentrate on gardening projects and presenting on BBC Gardeners’ World. Born with an upper limb difference, Kent’s concept #knollingwithdaisies is a low maintenance garden using re-purposed materials and native planting, specifically designed for people with limited physical dexterity and strength, or for those with busy lives who want to garden but don’t have lots of time.
Visitors in need of peace and tranquillity will flock to the RHS Forest Bathing Garden designed by Dave Green and the Sanctuary Area will provide a healthy dose of solace through natural therapy. Forest bathing is the practice of settling the mind and meditating within a natural setting that can help with relaxation and wellbeing. Green is incorporating surprising ways to engage the senses in a quiet retreat surrounded by field maples, hornbeams and the Palace’s mature limes, together with tactile planting, from hostas through to ferns and grasses.
The serene environs of the Sanctuary Area will see Ditton Avenue transformed into an enchanting, immersive woodland featuring the Sanctuary Yurt. Family friendly activities include exploring the wonders of fungi and world of natural habitats to keep inquisitive minds active. And a new acoustic music stage will add to the chilled-out festival vibe with performances by up and coming artists.
Renowned designers make a welcome return to showcase their creative talent and expertise. The accolade of RHS Iconic Horticultural Hero is presented to Sarah Eberle, acknowledging her professional contribution through a career spanning over 40 years. A recipient of five RHS Hampton Court Palace Gold Medals, Eberle’s design is an immersive garden of sustainable landscapes featuring native and wild world plants, including species that are not only beautiful and sustainably grown in the UK, but reflect our cultural heritage and the health benefits of plants.
Further Show gardens this year include the Connections garden by designer Ryan McMahon whose family has been affected by dementia. In support of Alzheimer’s Research UK, the garden aims to highlight the intertwined relationships within families and friends when a loved one is diagnosed, and represents the condition at a cellular level. A yarn bombing installation of knitted patches will be made by volunteers to commemorate someone close to them who has been affected. And Charlie Bloom and Simon Webster’s Sunburst garden has been designed to showcase their love for colour, fun and theatrical planting.
A special RHS Rose Tea Garden designed by Pollyanna Wilkinson will commemorate Her Majesty the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Attached to the popular Festival of Roses, seven roses have been chosen to represent each decade of the monarch’s reign and will be installed within an enchantingly romantic space that will offer a themed afternoon tea to entice visitors with delicious treats.
Following the success of last year’s RHS Allotment, and with continued interest in grow at home gardening, this practical arena supported by Miracle-Gro, features more than 10 community allotments and will provide talks and advice to demonstrate what can be achieved with no formal training or big budgets.
Festival favourites will also be back - the Floral Marquee, supported by St. James’s Place will be brimming with over 60 exhibitors bringing an array of species and cultivars, with Todd’s Botanics named as RHS Master Grower; Plant Village will feature 20 nurseries displaying and selling seasonal plants and bulbs and on the Get Growing stage, celebrities and renowned gardeners such as Monty Don and Adam Frost will discuss their gardening stories and a panel of experts will be on hand to demystify visitor’s conundrums. A new garden design clinic run by The Society of Garden Designers will allow visitors to book a one-to-one consultation for those in need of creative and practical help.
Rebecca Welti, RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival Manager, said: “As we begin to adapt to a normal way of life post-pandemic, this year’s festival aims to offer visitors the choice to experience the holistic power of gardens and the positivity it can bring across different aspects of our everyday lives. Whether you want to learn something new from an expert, be inspired to start a gardening project or enjoy spending quality time with friends and family, there is so much more to discover this year.”
For further information visit www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt
