The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced Viking Cruises, the world's leading river cruise line, as headline sponsor of the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

The partnership has developed naturally over the last four years, says the Society, with Viking Cruises having a presence at both the RHS Chelsea and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Shows.

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".

Viking Cruises and the RHS say they share similar values and a passion for innovation, creativity and inspiration. 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".

Inspired by the new partnership, the 2016 show features the return of the popular Water Garden category after an eight-year absence. At this year's show three gardens will be based on a water theme, including a debut design in this style at the show by Viking Cruises.

Multi-award winning Garden Designer Stephen Hall will be creating The Viking Cruises Scandinavian Garden, drawing on its Nordic heritage and giving visitors to the show a taste of just one of the inspiring and culturally enriching destinations available to explore on its many cruises.

Inspired by the wild, natural beauty of Scandinavia, The Viking Cruises Scandinavian Garden beckons you across the water, to take a closer look. A rowing boat rests on a pebble beach where large boulders have been placed, as if left by a retreating glacier.

A gravel path leads to the door of a humble house which nestles into an earth mound covered by meadow grass sparsely colonised with wildflowers. Nature is ever present in the form of sedges, ferns and grasses, while native trees and shrubs provide the backdrop. The garden evokes a traditional Scandinavian way of life where comfort and beauty is drawn from the simplest things.

Garden Designer Stephen Hall 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 RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show will run from 5th – 10th July, 2016. For further information or to buy tickets, visit the RHS website at www.rhs.org.uk/hamptoncourt.