Chatsworth chosen to host RHS Flower Show
A new annual RHS Flower Show is set to be held in the beautiful 1,000-acre parkland of Chatsworth.
The iconic Peak District attraction will hold the show in 2017 alongside Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, Tatton Park and London.
Sue Biggs, RHS Director General, said: “We’re thrilled that in 2017 we will be hosting an RHS Flower Show in partnership with Chatsworth on its breathtaking grounds. The amazing estate with its gorgeous surroundings has a rich gardening heritage and we’re honoured and excited to soon be a part of it.
“RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will join our current portfolio of shows at Cardiff, Malvern, Chelsea, Hampton Court Palace, Tatton Park and London. It will be an incredible new show – a stunning addition to the flower show calendar, bursting with fresh ideas that will delight visitors. It’s a fabulous opportunity for exhibitors and a great platform to showcase and sell their amazing plants to a new audience.
“The show will be held on the banks of the River Derwent, providing some of the most magnificent views in the country amid the landscape of ‘Capability’ Brown,” said Sue. “The spectacular home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire will give the event a dramatic and beautiful natural backdrop.”
Nick Mattingley, RHS Head of Shows, said: “It’s so exciting to be in the new role of Head of Shows at the RHS, as we announce the RHS Chatsworth Flower Show. The show will be full of innovation and fresh ideas – it will be unlike anything we’ve done in previous years.
“I can’t wait to speak to exhibitors about being part of this fabulous new show – what an incredible time for the RHS, UK growers and nurserymen, garden designers and, of course, the public. RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will be like no other.”
The Duke of Devonshire commented: “After our wonderful experience at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Amanda and I could not be more thrilled that the RHS has selected Chatsworth for its new show. There is so much happening in the garden at Chatsworth and we very much hope the RHS Flower Show will encourage more garden lovers to come to see us.”
In May, Chatsworth exhibited at an RHS Flower Show for the first time. ‘The Laurent-Perrier Chatsworth Garden’, designed by Dan Pearson, was awarded Gold and won RHS Best Show Garden 2015 at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The garden was a beautiful representation of a small – and less-trodden – part of Chatsworth Garden. Inspired by Chatsworth’s ornamental trout stream and Paxton’s rockery, the garden gave Dan an opportunity to demonstrate his passion for naturalism.
RHS Chatsworth Flower Show will be an annual event. It will take place for the first time on
7 – 11 June 2017.