RHS London Shows

The RHS holds several shows at the Horticultural Halls in Westminster each year, two of which take place in October. There are pumpkin competitions, fabulous autumn veg displays, chrysanthemums and other plants and flowers on display from the top nurseries and photo and art exhibitions. They also have a late opening where the visitors get to taste exotic cocktails and snacks in a relaxed, clubby atmosphere.

RHS London Shows

Orchid and Botanical Art Show

The last show of the spring at the Hort Halls. Its all to Orchids and Botanical Art this time - with the Botanical Art really stunning, but no photos, naturally. The orchids more than made up for that!

In Lawrence Hall

Phalaenopsis Btother Pico ' Sweetheart'

Dendrobium nobile Stardust ' Orange Gem'

Baptistonia sylvana

Dendrobium fimbriatum 'oculatum

Paphiopedium Sweet Sunrise

Paphiopedium Tiger;s Eye 'Downland'

Paphoipedium 'Saint Swithin'

Coelogyne cristata alba

Great London Plant Fair

Another RHS London Show, this time it's the Great London Plant Fair with lots of nurseries exhibiting and selling some beautiful plants for the keen gardeners that come to the show. There was also the Daffodil and Hyacinth competitions, with rows of entries being judged by the strict Society judges, as well as the competition of the Alpine Garden Society. On Tuesday evening there was a late opening from 6 - 9pm. It was 50s themed, with cocktails and dancing and some of the RHS staff dressed up in 50s style. There were cocktails from two 'plant friendly' places - the Midnight Apothecary and the Gin Garden.

It was a cold day!

50s Morris Traveller for Gardeners

Midnight Apothcary setting up

The Gin Garden getting ready

The lights go on and the party's starting!

Midnight Apothecary
Gin Garden

First London Show this year

First London Show of this year, held at the RHS Horticultural Halls, is the RHS Plant and Design Show. There were lots of spring flowers in both halls and a lovely, huge canvas from one of the artists whose work was on display, hanging at the end of the Lindley Hall. The Lawrence Hall is now owned by Westminster School and used as a gym - hence the climbing wall visible at the edges of the hall.(The exhibitors were not giving us a demonstration of their climbing skills.)

View of the Lawrence Hall

Lindley Hall

Lindley Hall and that picture.

RHS Great London Plant Fair

The scene in the Lawrence Hall,  mid-morning.


 Tuesday and Wednesday are the days of the RHS Great London Plant Fair. This is the last London Show until 4 & 5 October (the Autumn Harvest Show). Judging form the crowds who came on Tuesday, it is a popular event and I saw lots of people leaving in the afternoon weighed down with bags of lovely plants.

The exhibitors' stands were looking in superb condition with outstanding plants on display; and the attention to detail was outstanding.

 In the Lindley Hall there were displays of the various competitions being held by the plant societies. Enthusiasts crowded around the individual displays to see the prize winners in a very stiff competition.