Arabella St John Parker, Houses & Gardens Editor for Homes & Gardens, makes her pre-show plans for the 2009 RHS Hampton Court Flower Show.

Hampton Court is just one week away now and I am keeping my fingers crossed that the weather holds for us all. The setting for this show, in the grounds of Henry VIII's great palace, always works best in good weather although in view of the Met Office's current forecast predicting occasional heavy showers, I strongly advise that you visit it fully prepared for the worst.

In spite of the current financial climate, this year's Chelsea Flower Show showed us how it can operate on a budget so it will be interesting to see how Hampton Court, with its larger retail element, works this year. Whether you are planning to spend or save, shop or view, the show will feature many of its regular features and a number of new ones too.

Read our preview of this year's best Hampton Court Flower Show show gardens.

See which small gardens to look out for at this year's Hampton Court Flower Show.

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

The show is open 7 to 12 July, 2009; 7-8 July are RHS Privilege Days, 9-12, open to the public. To buy tickets, call 0844 209 0363; for more information, visit www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt.

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