Viking to sponsor flower show

Viking Cruises is to sponsor the Royal Horticultural Society’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show, after having worked with the society for the last four years.

Nick Mattingley, Head of RHS Shows, said: “Over the past couple of years Viking Cruises has shown considerable commitment to the RHS and we are delighted to have it on board as headline sponsor of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and we look forward to working with it over the next three years.”

Wendy Atkin-Smith, Managing Director of Viking Cruises UK, said, “We are thrilled to be the headline sponsor of RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and to be working with the RHS again. Following excellent feedback from our guests, we know that they look forward to this show every year.”

The show’s category this year has been unveiled as Water Gardens, following an eight year absence. Viking Cruises will debut its own Scandinavian water garden at the show, designed by Stephen Hall.

Garden Designer Stephen Hill said: “It is a great honour to be working alongside the best garden designers from the UK and around the world at this year’s RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. To be given the opportunity to create a garden for the headline sponsor, Viking Cruises, is a fantastic opportunity and I hope visitors gain a real sense of destination and adventure when viewing the finished garden in July.”

The Viking garden, which is inspired by the “wild, natural beauty of Scandinavia”, according to a statement from the company, will feature a rowing boat, house and meadow grass.

The RHS Hampton Court Flower Show will run from July 5-10, 2016