Something brilliant is blooming at RHS Wentworth
A garden show with heart, horticulture and a hint of rhubarb
There’s something about arriving early to an RHS show that makes everything feel a little more magical — even if it means queueing for 20 minutes, coffee in hand and a slight chill in the air (which soon disappeared!) Wentworth Woodhouse, nestled in the gentle hills of South Yorkshire, was buzzing with quiet excitement, the kind of hum you get when something special is about to begin - the first time an RHS show has been in Yorkshire oof.
See my Plants You Must Grow column this week, with special picks from RHS Wentworth!
From the moment I walked through the gates, it was clear this show was going to be different. The grounds are built around a grand house, giving the event a unique structure — though it did cause the occasional bottleneck in foot traffic around the side. Still, what a setting!
Gardens spilled elegantly across the landscape, and even though I couldn’t decide if it was hot or cold (northern weather is its own kind of microclimate), I knew one thing for sure: I was definitely in the mood for a pie… hahaha!
TV crews were already on-site, adding a touch of Chelsea glitz, and though the press room was a bit of a mystery (you’d think it was Narnia), I finally found it and got a coffee sans foam from the rather complex machine.
The Gardens: Storytelling in Bloom
Paul Hervey-Brookes’ RNIB Legacy Garden was an instant standout — a masterclass in subtle beauty. Using a delicate palette of pinks, creams, and golds, it was a visually stunning space with an unintentionally tactile feel. Designed to be inclusive for those with impaired vision, the garden invited interaction in a way that felt heartfelt and thoughtful. Excellent work as ever, Paul.
Then there was The Dune Garden, a bold and beautiful creation by young designer Jacapo, and inspired by the wild spirit of Fire Island. With sand-grown planting, evening primrose mingling with grasses, pops of Catananche, and mysterious berry clusters (which turned out to be a viburnum!), it captured a sense of resilience and identity. Anyone from my community (gay) who knows Fire Island will recognise the nods to personal memory and ecological balance too…
The RHS “Work With Nature” garden was another triumph — a practical showcase of diverse gardening styles, from damp shady nooks to dry, sun-baked spots. It was educational and always alive with curious visitors, a real celebration of sustainable, inclusive design.
Inside the House: Surprises in Every Room
Just when I thought I’d seen it all, I stepped into the grand house and discovered that the show continued indoors.
A glorious rhubarb display greeted me — delightfully unexpected — and on the first floor, an entire vegetable competition! Imagine aubergines and onions, proudly posed like prize ponies in a stately setting. It felt like RHS had blended the best of garden shows with a heritage house experience — and it worked.
The flower school and the showstopping hall added to the layered experience. One hour in, and I was ready to call it: Wentworth was a triumph. A fresh, innovative blend of Hampton Court’s scale and the Urban Show’s creative energy.
The Floral Marquee: A Plant Geek’s Paradise
By 11:30 am, the floral marquee was already packed. Ottershaw Cacti had everyone talking — bold, sculptural specimens that refused to be ignored.
Lee Norbury’s Plants Let’s Grow display made a brilliant case for Sedum, championing it as the drought-tolerant hero we all need.
Mandy Plants brought the tropics, including a jaw-dropping red tiger Abutilon that made me audibly squeal (apologies to the startled guests nearby — the plant geek in me couldn’t help it).
Leafy Lytham, fresh from RHS Tatton last year, returned with a dreamy display that featured the beloved double ‘Highlander’ Delphinium series, and those delicate Senecio ‘Angel Wings’ — defo gold medal-worthy!
Hoyland Nursery stunned with a daring fusion of plants — Nerines, Dieramas, Disa orchids, oh wow. It was like a botanical art installation.
And while Coleus may have had its moment at Tatton, this year I’m calling it for Astilbe — brilliantly showcased by East of Eden Nurseries.
The People’s Show
If there was a single defining quality to Wentworth: it felt like a people’s show. Plant-lovers were everywhere, picking up Liatris in droves (this has to be the plant of the marquee — it was everywhere), chatting with growers, and soaking up the summer vibes.
Emma Real-Davies held court on the main stage, with a packed talks programme — a real hub of horticultural enthusiasm. And the long borders! More of them than I’ve seen at Tatton, each one inventive, expressive, and brimming with ideas.
Yes, my iced coffee cost £5.55, and yes, it took an hour to escape the car park — but the fact I stayed right until the end says it all. Wentworth has firmly planted itself on the RHS map, not just as a beautiful location, but as a show full of heart, innovation, and blooming good fun.