READER EVENTS 2019
From intimate talks from leading designers to exclusive access to outstanding gardens (in the UK and abroad) our 2019 calendar of events has something to offer every gardener
MONDAY 4 MARCH GREAT DIXTER SPRING GARDENING DAY
Join Great Dixter’s head gardener Fergus Garrett for a day learning how to prepare your garden for the year ahead. Fergus will look at creating a timetable, composting and soil preparation, weeding, choosing annuals, sowing, pricking out and thinning. Includes lunch and a tour of the garden. Location Great Dixter, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex TN31 6PH. Price £110 (must be booked in advance)* To book go to gardensillustrated.com/ events or call UK 0871 230 7156† Overseas +44 115 896 0368.
9-12 APRIL CORNISH SPRING GARDENS
Spring comes early to the UK’s southwest peninsula. Join this Gardens Illustrated reader holiday to celebrate the season and immerse yourself in the beauty of the outstanding coastal valley gardens of Cornwall. Gardens explored include Tregrehan, Caerhays, Trewithen, and Tregothnan, as well as taking lunch with Charles Fox at Glendurgan to learn about his family’s fascinating history of plant hunting. This tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Boxwood Tours. Price £2,295 per person (single supplement applies). For more information or to book please contact Boxwood. Tel 01341 241717. Web boxwoodtours.co.uk Email mail@boxwoodtours.co.uk
FRIDAY 26 APRIL HORTUS LOCI CHELSEA PREVIEW DAY
An opportunity for a behind-the-scenes preview of the plants destined for Chelsea Flower Show’s top gardens, with a private tour at the nursery of growers Hortus Loci and a talk from a Chelsea designer who will gives us insights into their garden for this year’s show. Your day includes lunch and the opportunity to buy plants from this well-stocked nursery. Location The Plant Centre, Hortus Loci, Hound Green, Hook, Hampshire RG27 8LQ. Price £85*. To book tickets go on sale 1 February from gardensillustrated.com/ events or call UK 0871 230 7156† Overseas +44 115 896 0368.
24-30 MAY THE FLORA AND GARDENS OF CENTRAL SPAIN
Discover some of Spain’s classic gardens and exciting contemporary designs on our tour of Madrid and the Sierra de Guadarrama. The Iberian Peninsula is botanically rich, and Spain has the second largest number of plant species in Europe. The tour includes a trip into the mountains to enjoy the wildflowers, which should be at their best in late May, plus leading designers Miguel Urquijo and Fernado Martos will discuss their garden designs and the realities of plant selection for a difficult climate. Led by plant expert Noel Kingsbury. This tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Distant Horizons. Price £2,250 per person (single supplement applies, flights not included). For more information or to book please contact Distant Horizons. Tel 0151 625 3425. Web distanthorizons.co.uk Email info@distanthorizons.co.uk
11-14 JUNE THE ENGLISH ROSE TOUR
Rose enthusiasts are invited to join us on Gardens Illustrated’s second tour in celebration of the rose. Following our highly successful first Rose Tour in 2018 to Shropshire’s rose gardens, we now explore some of the classic gardens in the south of England, including Sissinghurst Castle, Mottisfont Abbey and a selection of private, rose-focused gardens. Rosarian Michael Marriott will once again offer insight and valuable information on growing these quintessentially English garden flowers. This tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Boxwood Tours. Price £2,290 per person (single supplement applies). For more information or to book please contact Boxwood. Tel 01341 241717. Web boxwoodtours.co.uk Email mail@boxwoodtours.co.uk
SATURDAY 22 JUNE SUPPER CLUB WITH JINNY BLOM
Join us to celebrate the enchanting evenings of midsummer and delight in all things gardening. Hosted by Hortus Loci nursery, you’ll arrive mid afternoon for a talk by award-winning designer Jinny Blom. She’ll discuss her approach to planting design and some of the projects she is working on currently. There’s the chance to tour the nursery, which will be growing plants ready for RHS Hampton Court Flower Show, and then relax with dinner and a drink inspired by seasonal and local produce. Location The Plant Centre, Hortus Loci, Hound Green, Hook, Hampshire RG27 8LQ. Price £100 (must be booked in advance)*. To book tickets go on sale 30 April from gardensillustrated.com/events or call UK 0871 230 7156† Overseas +44 115 896 0368.
27-30 SEPTEMBER GARDENS OF VARENGEVILLE AND HAUTE NORMANDIE
Take a long weekend in France to focus on the garden-rich village of Varengeville-sur-Mer with visits to Bois des Moutiers, Le Vasterival, Shamrock Hydrangea Collection and Jardin Plume plus other private gardens all looking their glorious best in September. This tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Boxwood Tours. For more information about the trip, the price or to book please contact Boxwood. Tel 01341 241717. Web boxwoodtours.co.uk Email mail@boxwoodtours.co.uk • You’ll find us at other events through the year, too. We have a stand at RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 21-25 May, and this year we will be hosting a VIP area at the Woburn Abbey Garden Show, 22-23 June (woburnabbey.co.uk). Keep an eye on the magazine and on our website for news of further events throughout the year. * A transaction fee applies to bookings. Calls to this number from a BT landline will cost no more than 13p per minute. Calls from mobiles and other providers may vary.