Cornish Guardian (St. Austell & Fowey)
Beauty of spring blooms eclipses worries about inclement weather
THOUSANDS of gardening enthusiasts defied the threatened wrath of Storm Kathleen to enjoy an abundance of floral cheer at the Cornwall Garden Society’s 2024 Spring Flower Show.
The uniquely Cornish celebration of spring, sponsored by Cornish Lithium and Goonvean Group, welcomed experienced horticulturists and green-fingered gardeners to the Royal Cornwall Showground, near Wadebridge, as well as from across the Tamar and beyond.
Visitors were welcomed by the immersive Cornish garden at the main entrance, designed by show director Mark Holman, with its dry stone walls, sinuous seating and sculptural spikes.
Meanwhile, the exhibition halls were vibrant with spring colour and showcased the finest flora and spectacular shrubs in the 158 categories in the competitive classes.
Officially opened by acclaimed garden designer, Manoj Malde, from
BBC TV’S Your Garden Made Perfect, there were talks by national names and local luminaries sharing their knowledge on a range of topics – from soil health and forest gardening to how to show camellias and the history of the daffodil.
The Grow Your Own area offered unusual herbs, wildflower seeds and intriguing chilli plants, while the Plant Pavilion, Horticultural Heaven and Artisan Area included more than 130 master growers and nurseries, garden traders, crafters and charities.
“I would like to thank every single person who contributed to the success of this year’s show, which provided a special day out for family and friends, and packed the exhibition halls with a hum of happy appreciation,” Mr Holman said.
“From sponsors and supporters to volunteers and visitors, and absolutely everyone else in between who played their part, the show committee could not have delivered this
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A week ago, even a month ago, I had feared that the Cornwall Garden Society 2024 Spring Flower Show would be a disaster
Charles Williams
Spring Flower Show without you.”
Cornwall Garden Society (CGS) president Charles Williams, who awarded the trophies to the winners of the competitive classes, had been concerned that the weather could have scuppered proceedings.
“A week ago, even a month ago, I for
Cornwall had feared that the Cornwall Garden Society 2024 Spring Flower Show would be a disaster with no flowers to see because they had been hailed on, rained on or blown away.
“That was definitely and unexpectedly not the case, with the best number of entries in living memory in some classes. That does not just happen. It is because we love it and encourage each other to enter, whether we have taken the plunge before or not. It is also why the show cuts above its status to attract such an esteemed line-up of national judges.
“Cornwall is the last county in England to have its own independent and self-funded garden society with a membership base. As flower tents at county shows and independent flower shows fall by the wayside, the CGS thrives and remains unique.”