Today begins the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, which is held in the grounds of one of the very finest royal palaces, resonant with history. It is also the biggest flower show in the world. I know this because I’ve read the Royal Horticultural Society advertisements and also because I’ve walked every inch of the show grounds on innumerable occasions over the years and still manage to get lost.
This year, as I have for the last few years, I will put on my important hat and will be judging some of the gardens. I thoroughly enjoy this process, even though I know that some people will be unhappy with their medals. I do, however, have great faith in the judging system and I think it generally works very well.
For those who wish to know, here is a simple guide to the RHS judging process…
It all begins with the brief, a document submitted (along with detailed drawings) by the designer during the selection process. The brief details exactly what the garden is supposed to achieve: who it is for, what sort of soil, what hard landscaping, which plants etc etc
On the day before the judging the gardens are visited by a team of assessors. They minutely examine the garden and award points in five categories; whether the brief has been realised, impact, design, construction and planting. The planting is the most important and carries a possible 30 marks out of 100. In order for a garden to be awarded a Gold Medal it must earn 75 points or more.
The next day the judges go round the gardens armed with the assessors’ recommendations. There is then lively discussion and debate and a decision is reached. Sometimes we agree with the assessors, sometimes we do not. Then there is a vote: medals are proposed and hands are raised. You may have seen it happening in photographs or on television.
That is not the end, however, as walking around with the judges is a moderator. This is an experienced judge whose job it is to keep an eye on us and make sure that our voting is consistent. After judging we all retire to a tent to eat bacon sandwiches and go through the whole process again. At this point the moderator can question the judges’ verdict and call for another vote: in which he – it is, at the moment, always a he – and the other moderators also have a vote. This can change things quite dramatically.
So that is what I am doing on this sunny Monday. Hopefully, many of you will come along to the show and see if you agree with our decisions.
(The picture, by the way, is of last year’s winning Conceptual Garden, It’s Hard To See by Rebecca Butterworth, Victoria Pustygina, Ludovica Ginanneschi. It was a spectacular winner and I hope to see its equal at this year’s show.)
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Comments
If a brief is a bit poor (do you remember the Chelsea garden a few years ago that had rhododendrons atop limestone pillars?) isn’t it possible for the RHS to tell in advance whether a garden will be in the no middle/bronze/silver etc. category, even before the garden is made?
Sheila Averbuch — Stopwatch Gardener
Hi can anyone tell me why my curly kale leaves are turning yellow? we have been watering during the hot spell but this has not helped. Also they do not seem to be growing. thanks
Does anyone know the name of the piece of classical music that featured in last weeks episode at Lamorran House?
Great article. I hope I can get along to it.
Best, Sheila
Programme is good, but I do not see why the cookery part should encroach in it to pad the programme.
What was the amazing piece of music they played out with tonight(Friday)?
It sounded like, well, nothing I’ve ever heard before – and I must have it!
I am having a garden room added to my house I bit like the one in Work,rest and play garden. Outside I would like to have a pond before the patio with stepping stones like the ones in The Living room and Urban Serenity. I have built a number of ponds but does anyone know how I can add the stepping stones. Eg are they ontop of the liner on bricks?
Last year I sowed some white foxglove seeds. In the autumn I planted out 7 healthy plants. They came through the hard winter and have grown on to be big, healthy plants – but without any sign of a flower! The wild, pink ones and the other pale pink ones I grew have all flowered well, so please, where have I gone wrong?
Sorry – new to this. I see this should have gone on Kate Bradbur’s Foxglove seed blog. I will see if I can move it there.
What was the name of the nursery with the beautiful Huecheras, I believe she said she had the National Collection
Answer for Pat White – I believe the the nursery’s name was Plantagogo.
Sheila: The selection panel would usually pick up on such anomalies. I think the rhododendrons may have been a late addition. I remember the garden well: the drawing was much more impressive than the reality: happens sometimes. In his defence I think the designer was unwell for much of the build.
Hartgrove: Important thing is to ensure that there are adequate foundations beneath the liner.Then build the piers on top of the liner (do not cut it). Piers need to be solid and weighty.
Devon Dumpling: Don’t forget that foxgloves are biennial. They set leaves in the first year and flower in the second.