Palace parade

摘要

Among the garden industry, it is widely recognised that while the RHS Chelsea Flower Show might have more kudos and attract more media coverage, the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the better springboard for up-and-coming designers. Around 150,000 people a year go to Hampton Court. Among them are plenty of visitors with money and an interest in doing major garden work. And it is a great place for designers with ideas. Association of Professional Landscapers founder Alan Sargent has shown at Chelsea 37 times and at Hampton Court around 20 times. "Chelsea is pretty manic, but you can be more innovative at Hampton Court," he says. "There are a lot more genuine buyers — many people at Chelsea are just time-wasters.