The RHS Badminton Flower Show, running from July 8‑12 on the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire, showcases a range of themed gardens and plant displays as the event moves from its former Hampton Court Palace venue.
Signature gardens draw visitors
Among the most talked‑about installations is the Julia Rausing Garden by Tom Stuart‑Smith. Spanning 2,400 square metres, it is slated as the largest feature garden ever presented at an RHS show. The design blends a wildflower meadow with a woodland‑edge flower area, honoring philanthropist Julia Rausing, who raised more than £400 million for charitable causes before her death in 2024.
Jo Thompson’s Archers 75th Anniversary Garden offers a nod to the long‑running BBC Radio 4 drama. Visitors can spot familiar details such as Pat’s strawberries, Tony’s sweet‑pea seed packets and Helen’s cheese‑making corner, creating a sense of stepping into the fictional Bridge Farm’s front garden.
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A separate highlight, the Perfume Pavilions by Nicholsons Garden Design, explores scented plants native to the Cotswolds. Lavender, honeysuckle, daphne and phlox fill the air, while two greenhouses display fragrant foliage like geraniums.
Gardens with a purpose
Several installations partner with charities, adding a social dimension to the show. Rick Ford and Pip Probert’s Finding Hope garden honors the suicide‑prevention charity CALM. Its layout of 16 squares reflects the daily global toll of suicide, using restrained planting to create a calm atmosphere for reflection.
Macmillan Cancer Support’s Nascent Shade Garden, designed by Elle Arnett, uses sculptural birch trees and lime‑stone pieces to illustrate the proverb about planting trees for future generations. The garden’s spacing highlights the organization’s aim to narrow disparities in cancer care.
Travel Oregon sponsors the Oregon – The Productive Garden by Sadie May Stowell. The space incorporates flowing water, fruit trees and pollinator‑friendly species such as lupins, lavender and sunflowers, echoing the Willamette Valley’s agricultural character.
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These diverse installations illustrate how the RHS Badminton Flower Show balances aesthetic ambition with community outreach.
The show inspires many visitors.
For those planning to attend, the schedule offers expert talks, hands‑on workshops and the chance to explore each garden in detail. The Badminton Estate’s expansive grounds provide ample space for wandering, and the varied themes ensure that each visitor can find a garden that resonates with personal interests.
