There are a good number to be seen in this group, including one from Slovenia which, as I recently visited that country, I shall be particularly interested to see. At the heart of designer Borut Benedejcic's traditional farmhouse courtyard design for his 'Pepa's Karst Garden' (D10) is a desire to draw attention to the Karst region's natural and cultural heritage, including stone cutting, and the need to ensure its preservation as this young but historical country grows.

The Show's sponsor, Rachel's Organic, has two gardens in this category, both of which have been designed by Paul Stone (C93 and C94). The dairy produce brand is 25 years old this year and these gardens should provide us with lots of ideas on how to grow edible fruit in an organic but plentiful way, as well as how to create a setting within which to enjoy the fruits of your labours.

For the morbidly minded, take a walk on 'The Dark Side of Beauty' (D5). New-to-show designer Sharon Clarke-Wills's garden is filled with poisonous plants, not a natural choice for most gardeners but as you might expect, this small garden has a point to prove: these plants play their part in our global ecology system and need to be preserved as much as less harmful plants. The recognition factor is key to the poisonous plant's survival, so Sharon has devised this part practical, part grim humourous way of educating us.

Finally, on my list of not to miss in this section is The British Heather Growers Association and Down To Earth Design's 'Back to Front' garden (D1). Heathers are the key ingredient in new-to-show C Bryant's design, and her intention is to show how this drought-tolerant plant translates successfully in the constrained setting of a domestic garden. As I am sure that you, like me, are more familiar with the sight of heathers and bracken growing in great swathes over the moors and heathland of Britain, it will be intriguing to see how successful this is.

NEW TO THE SHOW...
In an apt homage to the Show's location, visitors will be able to enjoy six gardens designed to celebrate the lives of Henry VIII's six wives. Each garden (D95 to D100) has been created by a different designer, and will be the ideal set of gardens for you to put your plant history and association to the test.

The four Floral Marquees have been turned into one massive marqee, which the RHS tells us will allow space for more nurseries to attend, so you will have a greater choice of plants to buy for your garden. There will also be a feature called Garden Energy, designed by Sarah Eberle. The garden will show how climate change has and will affect the British garden, from 1950 to 2050; dry gardens, wind turbines, energy-supporting crops, grow-your-own gardens, wormeries, talks and demonstrations are just part of this experience, which you will find at the heart of the showground.

Read our preview of this year's best show gardens.

Back to our preview of this year's show.

WORDS ARABELLA ST JOHN PARKER
PHOTOGRAPH RHS HAMPTON COURT FLOWER SHOW 2008 BY JOHN ENOCH