Monday was press day at The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and it allowed the first peek at what the largest Flower Show has to offer.

It is set in the huge grounds of Hampton Court Palace and has something for everyone - with accompanied children getting in free. So what of this years Show.?

Shows like this are often judged on the quality of the Show Gardens and there was a really mixed bag this year with some offering really over the top selections of colours while others selected just one colour. Jack Dunckley's Garden was certainly the former with what seemd to be every colour imaginable included in the 100 trolleys of plants bought in for the show

The other extreme was Hambrooks 'The Living Room' which was quite stark by comparison selecting white as the theme in the same way you might choose a limited palette for interior decoration.

Probably the most striking was the Matter of Urgency Garden with its surreal pink plastic tap gushing water constantly - I suspect this image will last longest in peoples memory of the show!

Best in Show went to Reflections of Thailand by James Clarke which was expertly executed.

Other gardens of note were the Combat Stress Garden

The Girlguiding Centenary Garden

An Uprising of Kindness Garden

The Copella Bee Garden

The LEGOLAND Pirates Landing Garden

But the show is more than just the Show Gardens - there was a Shakespearean theme running through much of the show with gardens depicting some of the Shakespeare Comedies

A scarecrow competition featuring characters from the comedies.

With it being the Girlguiding Centenary there were also a large number of cameo pieces craeted by the girlguides who were there in force on Monday enjoying the show. What a great way to enthuse youngsters in gardening!

Talking of youngsters - the youngest designer, just 15 years old, at the Show (ever) was James Callicot with an Artists Garden - James was too young to be allowed on site during the build so had to direct by viewing pictures taken by his landscaping team - now there is dedication!

James was surprised to learn that James Alexander Sinclair knew who he was! (Shocking shirt btw JAS!!)

This show really is huge and I have just touched the surface here. I'll put up another blog as soon as I can to highlight some of the other aspects of the show.

It was great to see the young designers of tomorrow making their mark and the younger members of the public coming to enjoy the show. A great day out with masses to see and do.

I haven't covered yet the Small Gardens, Sustainable Gardens, Conceptual Gardens, Plant Heritage Marquee, Floral Marquee, Home Grown and so on and so on.... did I mention it was a big show! Oh and of course there are stands selling plants and all manner of garden bits and pieces that you can buy and take with you - I succumbed to a rather fine Gunnera mannicata!

If you have never been to an RHS Show before the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is a great place to start but make sure you allow a very full day - or two!