The gods must have been smiling on us as we made our way to the Tatton Flower Show because the rain stayed away for the day and we were able to enjoy all that Tatton has to offer without resorting to waterproofs... and Tatton has much to offer.

We were in our element with 36 show gardens including 10 flower bed displays - all based on a sports theme this year as a nod to the greatest show on the planet being in London just now.  There were also the orchestra themed gardens, community gardens, the now famous back-to-back gardens and more.  So many, in fact, that we didn't know where to turn!  (But only for a minute because, as ever, it was the show gardens that got - and held for most of the day - our attention right from the outset.)

Winner of best in show was the Mornflake garden (above) and while I really did appreciate this show garden for so many things - its attention to detail and the quality of the workmanship for starters, it was the multi-coloured Taste of Ness Garden and To the Beat Orchestra garden that kept drawing me back time and again.  I was completely blown away by the planting in both gardens.  The colour wheel planting of the Ness garden was pulled off effortlessly - each colour melding into the next without any jagged or jarring transitions - and even with all of those different colours being involved the garden itself carried with it a real feeling of calm. 

The more limited planting palette of the Beat garden was simply stunning - chocolate cosmos and achilliea have never looked so good - this garden was one that somehow lifted spirits and engendered wellbeing, corny it may well be but true it most definitely is.  The reactions of people around us as they looked at this garden were evidence enough and the judges also approved, awarding this garden best in category.

I'm not a great personal fan of bedding plants but the flowerbed competition was really fun and inventive - our neighbours, Birmingham, doing a fantastic job with the sailing bed.  The painstaking plant placement and attention to detail was evident in all 10 entries.

The conceptual gardens had people talking, the front-to-front gardens were all designed by children from local schools and the back to back gardens were a triumphant display of making the best of small spaces.  There was also a strong community feel to many of the gardens too and Chris Beardshaw's Urban Oasis (with Groundwork) has been a recurring theme throughout the RHS shows this season showcasing how inner-city spaces can be turned into green, productive and safe areas.  The treasures of the floral marquee, nursery stands, the fruit and veg extravaganza, garden-related gifts and gadgets and all day music all added to the carnival feel of Tatton.  Thoroughly enjoyed it - and recommend it too!