An early start yesterday morning, heading to the press preview of the debut RHS Sandringham Flower Show. Of course, I stayed much longer than I planned – there is so much to see – and my head is buzzing with inspiring show gardens; clever community cube gardens raising awareness of local charities and groups; themed long borders; the elaborate floral artistry; stunning trade stands… The time and thought people have put into them is remarkable (oh and I saw Their Majesties The King and Queen, at a distance, too). 

From the largest show gardens to upcycled containers, all deliver thoughtful messages through inspiring planting and design. Sustainability and biodiversity are high on the agenda, with The RHS Royal Legacy Garden, designed by Catherine MacDonald in collaboration with The King, setting the tone, celebrating His Majesty’s horticultural legacy and the role gardeners play in championing the environment. Look closely, and you’ll even see local carrstone used for paving and seating. 

Although people are participating from across the country, I loved how rooted the entire show is in Norfolk with strong local connections and collaborations blossoming throughout, with designers, inspiration, materials, charities and organisations from our county and trade stands from brands like the home and garden accessories and natural stone company Foras (hats off to their Head of Flowers display, a real Norfolk collab), Wensum Pools, Norfolk Natural Living, and more. “It means everything to have an RHS Show in Norfolk,” says Claire Brutnall, Managing Director of Foras. “This is an amazing opportunity to celebrate the people that make this county great.”

A few of the many highlights for me and North Norfolk Living magazine writer Harriet Cooper, without giving too much away… 

The Community Cubes, a masterclass in clever planting in a very small space; from Kate Thomson Design’s farmyard – complete with willow goat – for the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association, celebrating the year of the woman farmer, to Norwich-based Rajul Shah’s design for Vision Norfolk (it’s very moving). The messaging of Mike Long Gardens and Tom Rollett’s ‘A Living Story of Transformation’ is also thought-provoking, representing how young peoples’ confidence can be built through cultivating plants. And ‘Swim Between the Flags’, Chloe Erskine’s celebration of the RNLI Lifeguards is fab! As is the cube marking the 100th anniversary of Norfolk Wildlife Trust – see if you can spot the painted stones, representing wildlife you’d likely spot in the garden.

The floral tablescapes in The Flower School marquee are next-level. It’s also the perfect spot to sit and tap into the wealth of horticultural expertise, with free talks throughout the day on everything from ‘Church flowers’ to ‘Floristry in the 21st century’.

The Main Stage, which also hosts a series of fascinating talks by garden designers, naturalists, scientists, broadcasters, charity CEOs, authors and more. The depth and breadth of knowledge could have kept me in this huge marquee for hours.

The Show Gardens in their various forms deserve their moment in the spotlight – it was fantastic to see the work of local designers Eye Gardens, Carey Garden Design Studio, Jane Scott Moncrieff Garden Design, Stark Strand Garden Design and Natural Surroundings amongst them.

The Girl Guiding Journey garden by Dominique Rudd for Girl Guiding Anglia – we love the ‘Promise Bench’ by local family business Iron and Brass Bed Company.

The floral decorations (think sunflowers) in the porch of The Church of St Mary Magdalene.

The Upcycled Containers, dotted around the grounds, are a cute way for local schools, gardening groups and social clubs to highlight the importance of biodiversity – particular favourites were ‘The Pollinator Patch’, ‘Home is Where the Heart Is’ and ‘The Queen Bee’. 

The sheer size of the Show. It’s on a massive scale but completely manageable – it’s well-signposted with plenty of friendly people on hand to help. The Show Gardens are set out so you can see them from all sides, which also means that you’re not standing 10 people-deep to get a glimpse. There’s room for everyone. There are so many wonderful shops and stalls, selling every manner of outdoorsy paraphernalia. The Floral Marquee is a don’t-miss, where you can purchase plants. Tip: bring a trolley if you’re thinking of buying big!

The food. From treat-yourself bubbles on the Pommery Champagne Lawn and Fortnum & Mason picnics that you can take away and eat on the grass to every manner of street food truck, you won’t go hungry.

The ‘problem solving’ Long Borders, from Sam Outing’s Goldcrest Garden to Murrell Scott Design’s Norfolk Coast: A Long Border for Climate Resilience. As I arrived home, I spotted my own ‘problematic’ long borders. Armed with ideas from the show, I’m inspired to give them some tlc, though I won’t be giving up the day job!

The RHS Sandringham Flower Show continues until Sunday 26 July. Tickets are available at https://www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/rhs-sandringham-flower-show

The traditional Sandringham Flower Show is back next year, on 21 July. 

All photographs © RHS