The RHS London Plant and Design Show, took place over 2 days, Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd February and spanned both the Lawrence and Lindley Horticultural Halls, in Westminster, London.
The exhibitors included some 29 nurseries and plant growers, 15 trade stands, 3 garden design colleges and two stands occupied by NAFAS – the National association of flower arrangement societies. Throughout the two days there were several Design talks taking place as well as demonstrations and workshops.
This years show also included the RHS Potato day and Pennard Plants had a huge display of their very good seeds and apparently 75 types of potato. There were also a series of Potato talks and workshops. I bought some, but not wanting to carry masses home from London limited myself to just 10 organic Setana seed potatoes, plus some Grandiflora ‘Senator’ Sweet Pea seeds.
I did not arrive until Saturday lunchtime – dogs to walk ect.., but managed to catch two of the talks, Chris Pennards Chitting workshop and later Andrew Wilsons garden design talk, both of which were very good.
The Stands were full of gorgeous Spring cheer and in the Lawrence Hall Hardys Plants were displaying amongst many beautiful plants a really lovely Hellebore ‘Anemone Picotee’
Another favourite from Hardys plants with a lovely citrus scent.
Broadleigh Gardens had one particular Iris that went straight to the top of my wish list, and I am told just a few cut flowers will fill a room with its beautiful scent.
One of the four stands awarded gold – Trewidden Nursery were displaying a very pretty Erica discolor, which needs protection from severe frost.
A short walk across to Lindley Hall, where one of my favourite trade stands – Plant Belles were displaying some very nice rusted and galvanised plant supports. An overdue purchase for my veg garden was very nearly made – had I got there 30 minutes earlier, sadly for me they had just sold out of rusted support hoops. Next time.
Just one of the many gorgeous Irises from the Jacques Amand gold winning stand
Roll on Springtime!
How lovely to be able to visit the RHS London shows! I didn’t ever go enough when I could and now it is impossible; I’ll have to check if any coincide with my planned visits back to the UK. Have you had good success with Pennards seeds, I’ve had very mixed results, some things not germinating at all.
Thank you Christina, that was my first blog in 8 months, apologies for the brevity of text. Its very frustrating when seeds do not germinate, despite our best efforts. Last year I grew 3 of their veg seeds, Heritage Windsor type Broad beans, French dwarf beans and Nero de Milano courgettes and I was pleased with all of them, I hope that the seed potatoes and sweet peas do well, fingers crossed!
A lovely commentary and super photos. Thank you
Thank you for reading my blog, the show was a really lovely chance to see some superb spring flowers in bloom, a Saturday afternoon visit meant it was not quite so busy and there was plenty of elbow room! 😉
Hi Julie – I have just popped over from Peonies & Posies. What an excellent show that looks like – you have inspired me to put the RHS show dates in my diary – other than Chelsea I have never been to one & it looks like I am missing out!
Thank you Julie, I would really recommend the London shows, they are a happy relaxed few hours or longer in the company of lovely plants and very nice people! Its not the grand affair of Chelsea and there is an almost village feel, RHS members are free and public tickets are just £5.00.
Gorgeous photographs. Have you visited it before? This year was my first time and I really enjoyed it.
Hello, yes I have been before, I would recommend the RHS London Plant Fair too at the beginning of April.
Thank you, will take a look at it. I really liked the small scale gives plenty of time to look properly and less crowded.
Yes, I felt the same 🙂