With a heatwave predicted across southern Britain for the start of the Hampton Court Flower Show next week and the current restrictions on hosepipes and water usage already in force, how do you keep more than 300 floral exhibits and show gardens blooming?

Stephen Bennett, the Royal Horticultural Society's Shows Director, believes that only 3,000 cubic metres of water (the approximate equivalent of one Olympic-sized swimming pool) will be needed for horticultural use over the five-week period that the show is organised.

He said: “Although the show is not subject to the hosepipe ban, we are leading by example. The mains supply is the option with the least environmental impact and many of our exhibitors are fresh from the Chelsea Flower Show so are accustomed to on-site water restrictions and have been recycling and minimising water use.”

Even in the main pavilion, where there is a central water feature that gives the impression of a fast-flowing stream, this will carry only 27 cubic metres of water which will be rotated around the system and the RHS is also exploring the possibility of redirecting the guttering around the roof - in the event of rain - to inside the marquee to water the gardens there.

Obviously, a number of drought-resistant plants and gardens are likely to feature at the show, which runs from July 4-9.

The ‘Sunshine Garden’ designed by Paul Stone for the Mayor of London, Ken Livingstone, has a number of drought-tolerant features including a lavender hedge, water-friendly vegetable bed, chamomile lawn and Mediterranean plants that can withstand dry conditions.

‘The Cockler’s Garden’ designed and built by staff from Southend-on-Sea Borough Council will feature maritime plants common along the Essex coastline such as sea kale, horned poppy and fennel - all which are used to arid conditions.

Drought-tolerant plants will also feature in Capel Manor College’s ‘Time Line’ garden, Filmscapes Ltd’s ‘Solar Eclipse’ garden, and in the ‘Low Maintenance’ section of the RHS Window Box and Hanging Basket Competition.

The RHS is putting on a series of talks and demonstrations throughout the week on "dry" gardens and water-friendly techniques. The society has also recently published an A5 booklet entitled ‘Water in the Garden’, which can be donwloaded for free on the RHS website

Alternatively, you can send a SAE (first class stamp) to Advisory Service, RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB, marking your envelope ‘Garden Matters – Water in the Garden’.

Something for everyone

Variety provides the spice for this year's Hampton Court Flower show

BACKGROUND

• Concrete jungle

• Out of Africa

• They live by night

• Remembering Milly

BACKGROUND

• Here comes the sun

• If they can't stand the heat... they should get out of the garden

• Growing pains in Tuscany

• The direction of your garden should influence your choice of plants

• The wizard of Oz

BACKGROUND

• Iggy, flower child of the Chelsea show

• Royal Horticlutural Show: calendar of events

• Water watch

Explore Gardens

• Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

• Chelsea Flower Show

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