Plants Galore!

From seeds to olive trees - gardening
delights at the the Spring Festival

I’ve talked about Show Gardens of all types over the last few weeks and yesterday (Tuesday 29th) in beautiful sunshine actually managed to see them taking shape – dozens of images which I am saving for the final preview post at the end of this week. Meanwhile today’s post is focusing on PLANTS and exquisite floral displays – drooling over them, talking about them, and filling those bags, trolleys and even wheel-barrows with purchases. What will be the ‘must-have’ plant for this year, I wonder? (All images are from the 2013 show.)

In the Floral Marquee in 2013

With the Show having been renamed ‘RHS Malvern Spring Festival’, solidifying the strong connections between the Malvern Show and the Royal Horticultural Society, there’s a new location and a fresh look for the RHS Malvern Floral Marquee.  Now located on Avenue D, by the North Gate and shaped like a gigantic elongated  ‘U’, it will be home over the four days (8th-11th May) to 80 of the best UK and international nurseries selling a huge range of plants. Refreshments and additional premium exhibitors outside of the ‘U’ will ensure that this corner of the Showground provides a whole new ambience.

Roses all the way ….

Innovative displays calculated to add that WOW factor within the 5,500 square-metres are sure to appeal. Knowledgeable exhibitors will be happy to offer advice on the best plants to buy for your own garden and situation. Show stands are always as varied as the nature of the plants on show, and additionally this year there is to be a huge central celebratory display specially created by Cook’s Garden Centre – their team won a gold at the 2013 Spring show.

Spring Show 2013 floral collage

Indeed, a remarkable 80% of exhibitors are awarded RHS Gold or Silver Gilt medals and a large number are shown on Gardeners' World, BBC2. Many of the nurseries this year are displaying symbols in the Show Guide indicating that their stock is either grown wholly or partially on their own premises, useful for anyone new to gardening. Visitors will also enjoy the ‘Potting Bench’ located just outside the RHS Floral Marquee, providing an informal platform for growers to hold short, interactive demonstrations for visitors. Sessions are running thoughout the Festival and more details can be found at the 'Potting Bench' itself. More gardening advice can be obtained in the RHS Pavilion, conveniently situated close the floral marquee area.

A packed floral marquee in 2013

There’s more to entice gardeners to visit the Show: you’ll also love the Plant Pavilions, between Rows 2 and 3, floral art in the Avon Hall, Plant Village Plots in Row 4, and the show garden created by Warwickshire College through its Pershore campus in the floral marquee area. The Pershore marquee alongside their garden will provide visitors with information on the many courses available in subjects related to Garden Design, Landscaping, Horticulture and land-based learning. 

Stunning displays in 2013

Don’t forget the Wye Hall which will be home to National Specialist Plant Societies, the Alpine Garden Society Show, ‘Open Gardening’ and ‘Get Going Get Growing’ - details for which appeared on the Blog on 7th April. In brief, this last section will offer “Practical planting workshops for first-time gardeners allowing you to discover how to sow, grow and harvest flowers, fruit and vegetables”.

This is the penultimate post of the 2014 Show previews; the final post with latest news and  images of the show garden  build-up will appear at the end of this week. Have you bought your tickets?