You’ve probably heard of the Philadelphia Flower Show and London's Chelsea Flower Show, but how about the show at King Henry VIII’s former home?
The Hampton Court Palace Flower Show rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt/2008/index.asp opens today and runs through July 13. More than 160,000 visitors are expected.
A medieval manor near the River Thames, southwest of London, the palace is a glorious setting for appreciating flowers, especially since it’s world famous for its gardens and huge maze (about one-third of an acre).
When Henry VIII died in 1547, he had more than 60 houses, but Hampton Court Palace was his favorite. The king spent more than £62,000 expanding Hampton Court, the equivalent of about £18 million today. Read more at: hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace/HenryMagnificent.aspx.
Representing today’s royals, the Duchess of Cornwall (Camilla Parker Bowles) paid a visit to the show to open a marquee dedicated to the conservation of plants and gardens, according to the Daily Telegraph, telegraph.co.uk. Her husband Prince Charles is a longtime flower fan. While there, she received a pink carnation.
Getty Image/Daily Telegraph photo
Nice to see
carnations getting their due, I say. They may not be the most glam flowers around, but they are troopers. They
last about two weeks, making them a
star of blossom longevity. Mind you, they share that title with the lesser known but equally durable blooms anthurium, statice and star of Bethlehem.
Some favorite
summer flowers that will last at least a week, maybe two, are: chrysanthemum, Bells of Ireland, gladiolus, heather, liatrus, Asiatic and Oriental lilies, cymbidium and dendrobium orchids, Sweet William and tuberose.
Expect delphinium, gerbera, rose, snapdragon and zinnia –
more summer faves – to last about
5-7 days.
Flower Fact of the Day: Tian'anmen Square's annual flower display is gearing up for its biggest year ever. After all, the Olympic Games are just a month away! Get more details at:
cctv.com/program/cultureexpress/20080708/101660.shtml.
And a teenager has discovered a new breed of tropical flower:
news24.com/News24/Technology/News/0,,2-13-1443_2352890,00.html.