Two RHS shows in London celebrate the best of autumn gardening

From 9-10 October, you can see, taste and buy mouthwatering produce at the RHS London Harvest Festival Show, a foodie feast celebrating the taste of autumn. Some of the best growers in the UK will exhibit their bounty in the Fruit & Vegetable Competition – and new exhibitors are very welcome. Visitors can expect expert advice on apple identification, as well as apple tasting sessions and the chance to join in the Foraging Forum, gaining advice from seasoned foragers on gathering food in the wild.

 

This is not an Allotment! by Pennard Plants is an innovative feature garden for Grow Your Own enthusiasts and city dwellers alike, exploring alternative ways of growing fruit and vegetables.

 

Pumpkins will feature largely at the show, including displays from RHS Garden Wisley and from local London schools participating in the RHS Campaign for School Gardening. For the first time, pumpkin fans can also expect to see giant specimens from the RHS Heaviest Pumpkin Competition, where professional and amateur growers alike compete for the chance to win a top prize of £1,000.The prized pumpkins will be weighed and judged on Tuesday 9 October.

 

Those working during the day need not miss out as, for the first time, the RHS London Harvest Festival Show is extending its opening hours until 8.30pm. An evening of mists and mellow fruitfulness awaits on Tuesday 9 with dreamy folk music from Robin Grey and his band. The acclaimed London Vegetable Orchestra will also be wowing the crowd as they demonstrate the versatility of their veggie instruments. And to get in the mood, visitors can partake in a glass or two of cider straight from the RHS Garden Wisley orchard. With plenty of other activities, plus exclusive evening access to the show, this should be a night out with a difference.  

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Meanwhile on 23-24 October, the RHS London Shades of Autumn Show will be packed with autumn planting inspiration to extend the gardening season. In the glorious Lawrence Hall the charity will host more than 20 specialist nurseries from around the UK, each vying for visitors’ attention with their colourful displays. A wealth of advice from some of the best growers and an enviable selection of plants to purchase awaits visitors.

Displays will range from a tapestry of plants to a riotous collection of quilts, as internationally celebrated artist and self-confessed ‘colour guy’, Kaffe Fassett, exhibits a selection of his botanically inspired works. The quilts will be suspended dramatically throughout this unique Art-Deco venue, setting off beautifully the dahlias, asters and fiery foliage below. Amongst his many triumphs Kaffe has produced designs for Missoni, exhibited at Liberty’s Festival of Quilts alongside the likes of Tracey Emin and is the first living artist to have held a one-man show at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. This promises to be very special exhibition as Kaffe’s inspiration and artwork is brought together under one roof.

The Ornamental Plant Competition, open to all amateur growers, will present the pick of foliage and flower from plantspeople around the UK – new exhibitors are also very welcome. Finally, to complement all this colour and creativity, images selected to enter the 2012 RHS photography exhibition will also be on display and are sure to inspire budding botanical photographers.

9 – 10 October 2012 RHS London Harvest Festival Show  Lindley Hall, Greycoat Street, Westminster SW1P 2PE

23 – 24 October 2012 RHS London Shades of Autumn Show  Lawrence Hall, Greycoat Street, Westminster SW1P 2PE

For futher information visit www.rhs.org.uk