THE demand for non-flowering plants has grown to such an extent that the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, Cheshire, July 17-21, will be introducing a brand new feature -- the Festival of Foliage.

Designed to highlight the wonderful range of plants that are grown primarily, but not exclusively, for their foliage effects, the festival promises to provide a spectacular display.

The Festival of Foliage, which will occupy an entire marquee, plays host to more than 20 exhibitors, who will be showing a rich selection of plants ranging from beautiful copper dryopteris erythrosora ferns, to the stunning purple cimicifuga simplex "Brunette" and the exotic silver chamaerops humilis serifera palm.

Max de Soissons, show manager, explains: "We are very excited about this feature, which will include the highest quality of specimens from some of Britain's finest nurseries.

"For foliage enthusiasts it will be a great opportunity to stock up on new plants, whilst those yet to discover this field of horticulture will perhaps be both surprised and inspired by the diversity of non-flowering plants and the ways in which they can be used to enhance a garden. To have these plants under the one canvas will certainly be a rare treat."

Exhibitors at the show are pleased by the RHS's decision to launch the Festival of Foliage. Ursula Key-Davis, of Fibrex Nurseries, who has exhibited at every RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, comments: "I simply can't imagine a garden without foliage and think it's wonderful that it is getting the recognition it deserves.

"The demand is really accelerating at present with more and more gardeners realising just what can be done with plants that aren't grown primarily for their flowers."

Carol Gilbey, of Gilbeys Plants, adds: "I think visitors will be particularly surprised by the huge variations in colour. Many people tend to think of foliage as simply "green", when in actual fact these plants encompass a whole range of colours from silver greys, through to lime greens and even vibrant reds and pinks."

Advance tickets are available at a concessionary rate of £l5 when purchased through the ticket hotline (0870 906 3811) or from the website, www.rhs.org.uk, compared to £l7 on the day. Members of the RHS and National Trust can also purchase tickets for a special preview day on July 17 priced at £l9.