GARDENERS with small spaces will find big ideas at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (July 4 - 9), which is fast becoming the home for container planting inspiration.

For those with a patio, small front garden, balcony or only a windowsill, there is no excuse not to grow your own food, attract wildlife and add colour and interest.

With a dry summer predicted, the Royal Horticultural Society advisers will offer plenty of advice on water-wise container gardening.

Guy Barter, head of the RHS Advisory Service, said: "Containers have a reputation for needing a lot of water but there are many ways to minimise water use.

"In addition to all of your usual water saving measures, try and keep containers in shady and sheltered spots to avoid them drying out in the sun or wind, and move them into shade during heat waves or when you are away from home.

"Hanging baskets can be positioned over containers so that water run-through irrigates the plants below." At the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show a new category, ‘Inspiring Spaces’, will feature a host of practical container ideas for small and awkward spaces. Fruit and vegetables feature strongly in the 12 2x2m plots.

Brighton & Hove City Council will be exhibiting ‘Edible/Drinkable’, with troughs filled with edible blueberry, lemongrass, trailing tomato and nasturtium and a bamboo frame supporting a ‘drinkable’ grape vine.

White Row Farm Plant and Gift Shop of Somerset will bring a taste of farm life to the show with ‘Farm and Garden’ incorporating hops, trailing tomatoes and strawberries set in rustic feeding troughs.

The RHS Window Box & Hanging Basket Competition will include themed categories for the first time and all displays will be judged for RHS medals.

* For tickets call 0870 906 3791 (public line) or 0870 906 3790 (RHS Members). Tickets range from £12.50 to £29 with children aged 5-15 years £5 and under-fives going free.For further show information and online booking visit www.rhs.org.uk/flowershows.