RHS Plant Fairs in London - Hidden Treasures on Our Doorsteps

Spectacular - Irises at the Spring Plant and Potato Fair

In an earlier article on potato sculptures (you have now tried one, haven't you - Ed), we mentioned that we saw these at the RHS annual Spring Plant Fair, now retitled the Plant and Potato Fair.  We then started thinking, and realised that although we regularly attend these, we rarely see any other members there (apart from Lucy, step forward and take a bow!).  Although, this time around, we were lucky enough to catch sight of both James Wong (seen most recently on the Great British Garden Revival), and Jim Buttress (from the Big Allotment Challenge).

Trade stands have many ideas for
your own gardens

If you are a member of the the RHS, or even if you are not, you are almost certainly aware of the four RHS gardens, and especially Wisley as it is so close to us.  But are you aware that there is another RHS resource that is almost on our doorstep, namely the RHS Horticultural Halls (the Lindley and the Lawrence) just off Vincent Square in London?  These halls are only a short distance from Victoria Station (less than 10 minutes by foot, even fewer in a taxi for the less mobile). Victoria is, of course, one of the main London termini from our own station in Hurst Green -  you can therefore be in the Halls within an hour of leaving Hurst Green, almost as fast as Wisley on a good day, without the horrors of the M25 to boot! 

It may be that many members do not know about these Halls, or what goes on in them.  We think that this needs to change.  The RHS puts on a number of shows and plant fairs (as well as other garden-themed events) in these halls throughout the year, and they really are hidden treasures if you love your garden .  Not all of the events are formal plant shows, either - the spring plant fair just gone is specifically for trade exhibitors to display and sell their wares, and all of the events have some form of "theme" to entertain and educate interested gardeners.  We do know that some Hurst Green members are not keen on formal plant shows, but this should not deter them from going as there are always trade stands to visit and other activities going on.  There is even a botanical art event for those who like painting and viewing pictures of plants, even if they are not so good at growing them!  If you do like shows and exhibiting (and we want to encourage more of you to do so this year - Ed), the shows in these halls are a brilliant way of looking and learning, to improve your own entries and knowledge of what judges are looking for.

Lathyrus Vernus - a small perennial cousin of the Sweet Pea.
Did you know it existed?  We bought one...

As an example of the events in the halls, at the Spring Plant and Potato Fair, one of the halls was given over to potatoes (more interesting than it sounds!), with a huge display of potato types, advice available if you needed it, and activities themed around potatoes and plants (the famous potato sculpture, which you could try for yourself, and a "seed bomb" making kit aimed more at any children present - all charities such as the RHS have recognised that children are the future and must be encouraged). The other hall was filled with specialist trade stands, displaying and selling plants - often unusual varieties not obtainable through the normal garden centres, or those which you never knew existed.  One of the most spectacular displays in this show (to my mind anyway - Ed), was the display of miniature irises, a picture of which graces the top of this article.

A display of herbs - with new raised beds that
we want to plant as a potager, this is an idea
I will think about seriously.

Even better, the vast majority of the events are free if you are an RHS member - but you can still get in if you are not, as you can pay a reasonable non-member entry at the door.  If you are interested - and we do hope you are, and encourage you to go - we put details of them in our monthly guide, and you can get more information from the RHS itself on their London Shows page (click on either of the links to follow).

So go on - give the shows a go!