They’re back! Plant fairs to inspire your green f ingers
GARDENING shows fell foul of the coronavirus pandemic but many are set to run this summer. So if you’re looking for ideas to transform your plot or need plants to fill gaps, here are some great events taking place over the next few months. Booking is essential and shows will comply with the latest safety measures.
BBC GARDENERS’ WORLD SPRING FAIR
Held in the grounds of Beaulieu National Motor Museum in the New Forest, Hampshire, this show will feature talks, specialist nurseries and a garden created by nearby Hillier Nurseries, winners of 74 consecutive gold medals at the Chelsea Flower Show. The beautiful borders area will feature work by a number of designers. May 28-30; bbcgardenersworld live.com/spring-fair
THE GARDEN SHOW AT STANSTED PARK
Held on the lawns in front of a fine Edwardian country house in Hampshire, this show provides opportunities to shop for plants, with nurseries selling everything from grasses to palms. There are gardening talks, the chance to have your gardening questions answered by experts and rural craft demonstrations. June 11-13; thegardenshowonline. com/gardenshow_stansted
MIDSUMMER GARDEN LIFE FESTIVAL
Inspired by Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this event at the Three Counties Showground in Worcestershire will feature poetry, drama and music in an open-air theatre, along with t alks from Gardeners’ World favourite Carol Klein. Many leading nurseries and specialist nurseries will be selling their wares, and there will be gardens inspired by the Caribbean and Far East. June 23-25; threecounties.co.uk/ whats-on/midsummer-gardenlife-festival
BLENHEIM PALACE FLOWER SHOW
Birthplace of wartime leader Sir Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, makes a spectacular setting for this show set in grounds designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. There will be gardening talks, show gardens, a floral pavilion crammed with specialist nurseries and an outdoor plant village. June 25-27; blenheimflower show.co.uk
RHS HAMPTON COURT PALACE GARDEN FESTIVAL
Set in the surroundings of the historic palace on the Thames in Surrey, this long-running event features a floral marquee crammed with nurseries and show gardens. There will be a kitchen garden packed with edibles that will be used in cooking demonstrations, and visitors can be among the first to see the rose of the year, which is announced at the Festival of Roses. July 6-11; rhs.org.uk/showsevents/rhs-hampton-courtpalace-garden-festival
RHS FLOWER SHOW TATTON PARK
This event in Knutsford, Cheshire, will boast ten lavish show gardens, including a subtropical plot and another promoting mindfulness. Owners of small plots will find inspiration in the back- to- back gardens category, while five upand-coming designers will compete in the RHS young designer of the year competition. The floral marquee will provide plenty of opportunity to stock up on plants. July 21-25; rhs.org.uk/showsevents/rhs-flower-show-tatton-park
BBC GARDENERS’ WORLD LIVE
If you’re a fan of Gardeners’ World, the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham is the place to go. Presenters Monty Don and Adam Frost will appear on stage, alongside other special guests, while scores of nurseries will be exhibiting alongside companies selling garden furniture, buildings and tools. For fresh air, step outside to explore the show gardens. August 26-29; bbcgardeners worldlive.com
PLANT FAIRS ROADSHOW
No show gardens or TV gardeners but this roadshow does feature some of the country’s best nurseries selling rare, unusual and choice plants. The event will be taking place at different locations this summer. May 23, Myddelton House Gardens, Enfield; June 6, Sussex Prairie Garden, near Henfield; August 22, Hole Park Garden, Rolvenden; plant-fairs.co.uk