Spring bulbs: Ophipogon nigrescens, Allium sphaerocephalon and Dahlia 'Arabian Night' make a spectacular show and are for sale on the Avon Bulbs stand (FM88) inside the Floral Marquee. On the same stand, take a look at the Lilium 'Netty's Pride', with its deep purple centre cream tipped blooms; stunning.

Be inspired by Coldharbour Nursery's (FM87) display of yellow Hemerocallis and pick up some 'Imperial Lemon' and 'Forsyth Red Fringe'. For lovers of high-impact blooms, your shopping list must include Chrysanthemum 'Misty' in cream, golden and lemon yellow from Chrysanthemums Direct (FM46).

I mentioned in my preview to this show that there is a strong sense of fantasy and romance in many of the show gardens, with their themes of dragons, kings and queens, and inside the Floral Marquee I found plenty more blooms to inspire storytellers, illustrators and set builders. Top of my list would be the furry little hits of bold colour that are Celosia cristata, on the Flora of South America stand (FM92), and the sea of orange, pink and peach disa orchids from Dave Parkinson Plants (FM50). For what I am voting as quite simply the Oddest Looking Plant in Show, however, make your way to the Cook's Garden Centre stand (FM34) and admire the Tacca chantrieri 'Bat Flower' (pictured). Its curling tendrils and blood-black colouring is the stuff of dreams… or nightmares.

LOOK OUT FOR
Letterers and engravers: Paul Thomas (D80) and Martin Cook (B18). Candle-lit bamboo lanterns and colourful parasols from East 4 West (B23). Weathered metal crowns from Luca Designs (B99) and a vintage selection of old cartwheels, bird cages, metal planters and sieves from The Cabbage Patch.

EXPERT TIPS
Make sure you visit the Edible Spaces with Capital Growth arena to the left of the Long Water. A chat with the experts from Hadlow College will teach you all about growing vegetables and salads without soil (hydroponics), while garden designs by Adam Frost, Matthew Biggs and Chris Myers offer lots of ideas on how to create urban edible gardens, including herb walkways, stack planters for potatoes and soft fruit hedges.

Back to our round-up of this year's Hampton Court Flower Show.

WORDS ARABELLA ST JOHN PARKER