Reckless Gardener - Show news including RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2006, RHS Hampton Court Palace & RHS Tatton 2006.

Holker attracts the crowds

The 2006 Holker Festival once again attracted the crowds with wonderful sun for the first day of the show. Building on the success of its Garden Festival (acclaimed as the best show of its kind in the North‚) the Festival, this year, was much enlarged with a new lay- out and plenty of room for everyone to move around the site.

Set in beautiful parkland on the famous Holker Hall Estate, the Festival has become a firm date for gardeners and food lovers alike. The expanded show now encompasses all that's great about the countryside and food. There were some 43 exhibitors in the Great Horticultural Marquee, a dedicated Herb Marquee and a Floral Art Marquee.

The Artists Garden‚ (pictured left) was awarded a Gold Medal in the Festival Gardens awards. This really was as a delightful garden which could be walked through by the public. It was a pleasant and practical garden from which an artist can draw inspiration. It was also awarded the trophy for Best in Show.

H.M. Prison, Haverigg, was awarded a Silver for "You Decide" and Sharp Paving Ltd, of Kendal a Silver Gilt for their garden "Serenity". It was pleasing to see a garden by the pupils of St Anne's School, Windermere, who created the "Round Square Garden". The ethos of the garden being the Round Square, (founded by Kurt Hahn) - an international association of schools that aim to develop students beyond academic excellence into responsible all round individuals. Pupils from the age of 7 up to 16 all took some part in the design and building of the garden and several were on hand to explain to visitors all about their garden.

The Lady Cavendish award (and Large Gold) went to Mary Green of Hornby, Lancs for her imaginative display in the Horticultural Marquee, of hostas, ferns and shade loving plants. The Cumbria Crystal Trophy for best in show up to 40ft length went to The Plant Lovers - also awarded a Large Gold.

One stand to catch my eye in the Horticultural Marquee was a display by Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants (Gold) of Digitalis and Dave Parkinson Plants (Gold) of Goole, with their orchids and ferns.

A great show with something for all the family Holker 2006 will be remembered as yet another superb success.