Thursday’s spectacular North Yorkshire weather welcomed the opening day of the sold out RHS Garden Harlow Carr Flower Show 2022, the first RHS garden flower show of the year.
Thousands of visitors are expected at the four-day show this year, which will see a host of the country’s best nurseries and trade stands sell their plants and wares to keen gardeners and visitors.
The Harrogate event is a show full of the colours and scents of summer, from the team behind the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – and is set in the heart of one of the most beautiful gardens in Yorkshire.
Always visually impressive whatever the time of year, particular June highlights include the rare Himalayan blue poppies which are currently in full bloom. The famous Streamside is awash with spectacular colour. The Kitchen Garden is brimming with seasonal produce and the Main Borders are full of seasonal blooms.
The annual show is a must for garden lovers, with specialist growers, expert advice and fabulous products, all in the lush surroundings of the Yorkshire garden. Some of the country’s top specialist nurseries are in attendance this year, offering choice flowers, herbs and grasses, a whole host of hardy perennials, shrubs and even carnivorous plants.
These knowledgeable nurseries are eager to share their unrivalled expertise, and purchasing direct from specialist growers provides the best quality and selection of plants.
There’s also an extensive programme of demonstrations and workshops across the four days of the show: Renowned Yorkshire-based gardener, writer, broadcaster and RHS judge Martin Fish will be sharing his advice and insight from more than 30 years’ horticultural experience. Demonstrations by floral designer Jonathan Moseley will offer the inspiration and knowledge needed to create stunning summer cut flower displays at home.
Alongside choice plants, there’s a beautiful range of garden ornaments and metalwork, handmade garden gifts and grow-your-own raised-bed kits available to purchase.
And if all this isn’t enough, there’s ample opportunity to relax to live music throughout the show from local artists including Made2MeasureBrass, Andy Cahill, Dolce Duo and Spa Sax.
There are deckchairs and benches dotted throughout the garden too, with some fantastic locations available for a picnic!
Also, on Friday 24 June at 11am, the Garden’s ‘Friendship Bridge’ which features a decorative floral design in Yorkshire sandstone, will be presented with a Pinnacle Award from the Dry Stone Wallers Association. The Pinnacle Award Scheme recognises outstanding projects incorporating dry stonewalling. The scheme is designed to embrace a wide spectrum of work although only the most outstanding projects incorporating the very best of craftsmanship, innovative use of design and inspirational use of stone will be considered for a Pinnacle Award.
Paul Cook, Curator at RHS Garden Harlow Carr, said: “We are thrilled that The Friendship Bridge has won such an important and respected award – it was such a pleasure to work with such talented craftsman to put it together and we’re proud to be able to highlight traditional Yorkshire countryside skills and materials. The bridge has been a wonderful addition to the Streamside and looks particularly good at this time year surrounded by our beautiful Meconopsis poppies and candelabra primulas.”