Tatton Park wild flowers nurtured for RHS show garden

With just a week before thousands of visitors are expected to flock to this annual event, we can give you a sneak preview of what you can expect to see.

Award winning designer and ecologist Michael McGarr has created the RHS and Tatton Park Rewilding feature garden.

Artist impression of what the rewilding garden will look like

Their 10 metre by 10 metre area of showground has been left to grow out, allowing otherwise unseen plants to be showcased where they chose to grow, alongside Michael’s designed space.

Another artist impression of the rewilding garden

The result is both easy on the eye and simple to manage.

A fence was erected around the showground site to pretect it from grazing Red deer at Tatton Park Picture: Adventure DNA

This relaxing approach has been developed to encourage gardeners to consider site-specific planting, biodiversity and welcome wildlife in at least a corner spot.

Michael worked closely with Tatton Park head gardener, Simon Tetlow in the build up to the show.

In early spring, fencing was erected around their plot on the showground site to protect it from visitors’ feet and grazing deer.

Simon said: "Every time I checked over the fence, something new had appeared. Periwinkles, buttercups, daisies and by late June, it had turned into a sea of clover.

Simon Tetlow, Tatton Park head gardener

"It was so simple yet beautiful and quickly affirmed one of the key rewilding messages, to re-evaluate uncelebrated plants and seek out hidden beauty, no matter how small.”

Michael also chose feature plants specific to the parkland site for his RHS garden design.

Sedge, soft rush, spotted orchids, hawthorn, field maple and teasels all grow wild and free across Tatton Park’s 1000 acres.

Spotted orchid

But like many wildlife havens, you may have to venture off the beaten track to spot them.

Head away from the main drive, venture into quieter corners and you’ll find rare and internationally important habitats.

Both meres are on the Ramsar list, as wetland sites of international importance, and Dog Wood is a designated site of special scientific interest.

Darren Morris is a ranger at Tatton Park and sees first-hand how the native species featured in the RHS garden support wildlife across the Parkland.

Darren said: "The numerous plant species found in the parkland also support a vast array of insect and invertebrate life.

"We manage the grassland to provide habitats for as many native species as possible.

"Our grassland is managed to allow a variety of sward lengths, this in turn supports many native plant species such as harebell, tormentil and speedwell.

Harebell wild flower

"Many fungi species also thrive here. The longer grass sward in some areas of the park provides habitat for field voles, which in turn, then attract birds such as barn owls and kestrels to the park.”

Tune in to Gardening with the RHS on rhs.org.uk/podcast from July 22 to hear Simon talk about the diversity and ecology of Tatton Park’s wider landscape.

To book tickets for RHS Flower Show Tatton Park visit rhs.org.uk