THERE WAS A REAL BUZZ OF EXCITEMENT WHEN HIS & HERS RECEIVED AN INVITATION TO VISIT RHS TATTON. THE DAY DAWNED, AND IT WAS GLORIOUSLY SUNNY.

Words: Jean Hill

RHS Tatton is in a beautiful setting and it was a lovely sunny day. There is so much to see and do, that where to start is the challenge. The Floral Marquee is spectacular this year. I love the extravagance of vegetables and herbs. There are spectacular displays of oriental lilies, fuchsias, fragrant roses, rambling clematis and grand agapanthus. I discovered Stentor lily tubers – huge pale pink flowers with a vibrant scent: a new introduction. Hardy’s cottage gardens plants had a stunning display of Ipomoea, Star of Yelta, which is an intense velvet, silky, purple flower.

We have a wild bee action pack, to help a bumblebee in distress and cultivate a garden with bees and butterflies. Tatton is working its magic. Seven foot tall flower people welcomed us into the Butterfly Dome. Commonplace enough! The different varieties include: Glasswing, Giant Owl, Mexican Blue Wave, Malachite, and Indian Leaf. It is a magical exotic experience: It becomes a sea of exotic butterflies, there are 2,500, in a tropical back-drop.

On to the Show Gardens. Styal Prison has become a regular exhibitor and offenders have created elegant and stylish gardens, with serious themes. This year is no exception. Women who have been part of a cognitive, making better choices, programme, explored this through flowers in ranges of red, white and blue to symbolise life decisions.

The Macmillan Legacy Garden is a place of reflection. A wishing well is central to its design and it has won Gold. The ‘Remember Me Garden’ tells the story of dementia, sponsored by the Mid Cheshire Charity.

‘Facing Fear, Finding Hope’ was created in support of Crohn’s and Colitis UK. It represents one young man’s journey to get the best out of life, whilst managing Crohn’s. A sculpture, ‘Sharp Intake of Breath’, designed by Nick Romeril, is in a focal position.

United Utilities: ‘Slow the Flow’ ( pictured above) won Gold and Best of Show. It displays elegant ways of conserving rain water. Arley’s ‘Thyme to Retreat’ (pictured below) is my own personal favourite back to back garden and won Silver Gilt. It is a perfect place to relax. The pastel colour palette blends mauves, pale pink cabbage roses, white wood anemones tinged with blue and the spectacular sea blue eryngium to great effect.

Tatton will inspire. Plant a ‘cornfield’ of wild flowers. Gaze in wonder at ‘Cabbages & Nettles’ embroidered textile art, depicting cabbages, carrots and cauliflowers, created by Rachel Nettles. The school-children’s gardens are a joy. It is a day of exploration and discovery.

Website: rhs.org.uk/tatton (up to 2 children go free)

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