As we welcome in a new year we’re looking forward to another season of unrivalled flower shows from the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). With an esteemed portfolio, including the world-famous RHS Chelsea Flower Show (22-26 May), each show offers its own unique character with an array of astonishing displays, design innovation and creativity, plus plenty of take-home ideas for everyone to enjoy throughout 2018.
RHS London Early Spring Plant Fair, 13-14 February. Late event 12 February.
Where: RHS Lindley (SW1P 2QW) & RHS Lawrence Hall (SW1P 2QD). Tickets: £5 RHS Members, £8 non-members.
Kick starting the gardening season, the RHS London Early Spring Plant Fair will see a variety of early flowering plants and bulbs. Visitors will be able to admire an abundance of stunning snowdrops in an installation created from gardens all over the country and make the most of on-hand advice from nurseries and speakers including Alys Fowler who will be encouraging everyone with tips and inspiration to get back in the garden after the winter months.
RHS London Orchid Show and Plant Fair, 6-7 April. Late event 5 April.
Where: RHS Lindley (SW1P 2QW) & RHS Lawrence Hall (SW1P 2QD)Tickets: £5 RHS Members, £8 non-members. The RHS Lindley and Lawrence Halls in Westminster will be bursting with an array of top nurseries showing off their spring selections. Featuring plenty of plants to stock up on and take home tips and advice from an exciting programme of talks and workshops, visitors can browse the beautiful selection of orchids and fresh spring colour. In addition, for those looking for a taste of RHS Chelsea, guests will be able to view an exclusive preview of the show-stopping gardens and speak to the designers behind them.
RHS Flower Show Cardiff, 13-15 April. Where: Bute Park, Cardiff Castle (CF10 1BJ). Tickets: RHS Members £10 (£12 on the day), Non-members £11 (£14 on the day). The RHS returns to Bute Park bringing the best of Welsh gardening and the excitement of spring. From spectacular show gardens to top-quality plants and gardening merchandise for sale set against the backdrop of the magnificent Cardiff Castle, the show will see plenty of activities for all the family including workshops, a children’s trail and the popular wheelbarrow competition.
RHS Malvern Spring Festival, 10-13 May
. Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern (WR13 6NW). Tickets: Available from £18 – £36. Taking place within the picturesque Malvern Hills, the festival celebrates the finest in gardening, food and lifestyle with a vibrant line-up of features and exhibits. Visitors can expect plenty of show gardens and nursery displays as well as a variety of artisan food and drink from local producers.
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 22-26 May. Where: Royal Hospital Chelsea, London (SW3 4SR). Tickets: Available from £29 – £74.
The world’s most famous flower show held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea will see exciting show gardens, inspirational small gardens and vibrant horticultural displays showcasing the latest trends in garden and landscape design. The Great Pavilion will be home to over 90 exhibits while for the first time visitors are invited to a Chelsea Late in Ranelagh Gardens on Friday 25 May for an evening of music, entertainment and more.
RHS Chatsworth Flower Show, 6-10 June. Where: Chatsworth, Derbyshire (DE45 1PP). Tickets: Available from £18.50 – £33.50.
The newest addition to the Society’s portfolio of shows, RHS Chatsworth Flower Show celebrates the creative genius of gardeners and garden designers, showcasing the designers pushing boundaries with a collection of innovative pieces. Set in the stunning grounds of Chatsworth House in Derbyshire, visitors will be immersed in an unusual, inspirational and surprising horticultural wonderland.
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, 2-8 July. Preview Evening 2 July. Where: Hampton Court Palace, Surrey (KT8 9AU). Tickets: Available from £19.50 – £37.00. The world’s largest annual flower show features a diverse range of beautiful gardens, iconic horticulture and a vibrant array of shopping opportunities. Spanning over 34 acres with the stunning backdrop of the historical palace, it is the best place for budding and expert gardeners looking for inspiration and insight. With a host of activities, visitors can immerse themselves in grow your own ideas for the kitchen and pick from a range of horticultural, lifestyle and beauty products to take home.
RHS London Plant and Art Fair, 11-12 July. Late Event 10 July. Where: RHS Lindley (SW1P 2QW) & RHS Lawrence Hall (SW1P 2QD). Tickets: RHS Members £5, non-members £8
. With a selection of striking and original botanical art from around the world, the RHS London Plant and Art Fair will capture the beauty of horticulture through art. On display alongside a variety of seasonal plants and bulbs from some of the UK’s finest growers, the event will see a collection of original horticultural artwork plus a new exhibition of the winning photographs from the RHS Photographic Competition 2018 sponsored by The Sunday Times.
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, 18-22 July. Where: Tatton Park, Cheshire (WA16 6QN). Tickets: Available from £23.00 – £28.50.
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, held in the heart of Cheshire, is the pinnacle of the North West’s gardening calendar. Having become synonymous with fresh new talent, 2018 marks the show’s 20th anniversary and will celebrate with a host of the Show’s favourites including the RHS Young Designer competition, show gardens and the popular Back to Backs offering planting ideas for small spaces.
Malvern Autumn Show, 29-30 September.
Where: Three Counties Showground, Malvern (WR13 6NW). A show for food and gardening lovers, the Malvern Autumn Show hosts a range of cookery demonstrations, gardening talks, vegetable displays, crafts and more.
RHS London Harvest Festival Show, 2-3 October. Where: RHS Lindley Hall (SW1P 2QW). Tickets: Free.
Celebrating the autumn season with a bounty of produce, this festival is packed full of seasonal delights and inspiration for those looking to grow and create from their own garden produce. Highlights will include prize-winning fruit and vegetables, plenty of colourful autumnal displays and lots to try, taste and buy from independent food producers.
RHS London Urban Garden Show, 27-28 October. Late event 26 October. Where: RHS Lindley (SW1P 2QW) & RHS Lawrence Hall (SW1P 2QD)
. Tickets: RHS Members £5, non-members £8.
Rounding off the 2018 RHS Shows calendar, the Urban Garden Show will inspire visitors to grow, even those with only the smallest of plots. It is the perfect place to browse and buy an exotic assortment of plants for small gardens, balconies and windowsills along with popular houseplants, plus an eclectic range of botanical inspired products for the home. The event will also feature a host of creative installations for visitors to immerse themselves in and inspiring talks on urban horticulture for those looking to make the most of their city abodes.