RHS Hampton Court 2024 has just finished, and I had a chance to visit recently whilst dodging the downpours. In those moments of dry calm weather I spent my time around the show gardens. These are my take aways from the designs I saw…
- Agastache. This perennial with tall mauve flower spikes is a favourite of mine, and it was a stellar showing for it at Hampton Court this year, in many of the show gardens. They thrive in full sun, on most soils and pollinators love them. They may need extra drainage and some soil ammending with compost if on heavy clay, as they don’t like to be in the wet too long. Agastache ‘Blackadder’ (pictured below) is a fantastic variety.
- Sangisorba officinalis. Every inch the prairie garden plant, this little known gem pops up quite a lot whenever a design is meant to look even the slightest bit meadowy. It works very well as a compliment to grasses, Gaura, and other tall flowing plants. Sanguisbora takes all soils in its stride, and needs little to no maintenance. It prefers full sun but will work in dappled shade, how-ever the more sun the better in my opinion for maxiumum flowering.
- Achillea millefolium. Comes in almost every colour you could wish for, including hot pinks, mustard yellows, reds, orange and so on. Common name is ‘Yarrow’ and you will find it in a lot of wildflower mixes. Takes all soil types, and flowers profusely in full sun only.
- Hostas. These leafy wonders have really returned in a big way lately. Whilst some of you may be screaming “what about the slugs!”, there has been a lot of help on offer with this at various plant stands in the Floral Marquee. Some people swear by garlic infusion sprays, others say the glaucus (grey-green) Hostas are slug resistant. Whilst the slugs do like them, your best bet is good housekeeping. Clear up leaf litter around them, and use nematodes in pots, or a copper band an organic alternative. I’ve seen plenty survive without issue in gardens. In my opinion they are worth the effort for the wonderful foliage. My personal favourite variety is the large glaucus ‘Big Daddy’.
- Ferns. Dryopteris, Aslpenium scolopendrium and more. They were everywhere this year in the show gardens. Pictured below is an incredible garden showcasing ferns along with a corten steel water bowl, and its an amazing combination in my opinion. If you have any shade then ferns are a must.
There were plenty more incredible plants and combinations on display at this years RHS Hampton Court flower show. I look forward to seeing what others take’s on the event were!