The great and the good of the gardening world will headline this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2017 from Thursday 11th – Sunday 14th May 2017.
Godfather of gardening Alan Titchmarsh returns joined by BBC Gardeners’ World presenters Carol Klein, Monty Don, Joe Swift and Adam Frost. BBC Radio 4 Gardeners’ Question Time presenter Matt Biggs, famed florist Jonathan Moseley, British Queen of Herbs Jekka McVicar, BBC Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins and Gold Medal winning designers Jon Wheatley, James Alexander-Sinclair and Jo Thompson all share their expert advice and knowledge.
Head of RHS Malvern Spring Festival, Jane Furze said: “We have a bumper crop of gardening experts for our visitors this year, there is literally someone for everyone. We’re guaranteed expert advice, top tips, designer know-how, floral facts and so much more from the very best in the industry as we celebrate all that is great about gardening.”
National treasure, Alan Titchmarsh will open the show on RHS Gold Day of RHS Malvern Spring Festival on Thursday 11th May. Festival favourite, acclaimed garden designer and broadcaster, James Alexander-Sinclair returns to host the Festival Theatre promising lively conversations with all of the headliners including Carol Klein, Monty Don, Adam Frost and Joe Swift over the weekend.
Jekka McVicar will hold daily conversations from her Health & Wellbeing garden, a brand new permanent garden that has been commissioned by RHS Malvern. She will be sharing her encyclopedic knowledge of herbs and their myriad of uses with visitors whilst immersed in her beautiful scented garden.
Joining Joe Swift in the new Plant Finder Parlour in the Floral Marquee is Matt Biggs, who has created a unique one-man show specifically for RHS Malvern. He’s adopting the persona of great plant finders of the past, George Forrest and local man, Ernest Wilson on the Thursday and Friday of the show.
Celebrity florist, Jonathan Moseley is holding workshops over the four days celebrating British Flower Growers. Visitors are invited to have a go at creating their own floral masterpieces and to marvel at Jonathan’s magnificent Floral Fountain that is the same height and width of the average two bedroom house!
Chelsea designers Jon Wheatley, James Alexander-Sinclair and Jo Thompson will be sharing their award winning design knowledge with show garden tours and design tips that can be applied to any garden. Jon Wheatley is also heading up the Grow Zone and has designed an interactive wildflower feature garden that includes vegetables, fruit, and bees.
Paul Hervey-Brookes launches the Paul Hervey-Brookes Growing Challenge in the Grow to Show area. A slight departure for multiple RHS gold medal winning designer, Paul is inviting anyone to enter and demonstrate their growing skills and creativity. No prior experience is needed just enthusiasm and imagination!
BBC Blue Peter gardener, Chris Collins returns to lead the School Gardens Challenge. RHS Malvern Spring Festival is proud to be one of the only RHS shows in the UK to have a collection of Show Gardens designed and built entirely by young people. Chris will be on hand throughout the weekend hosting exciting and educational Plant and Grow workshops for young gardeners.
RHS Malvern Spring Festival 2017 will take place from Thursday 11 May until Sunday 14 May. Tickets are now on sale. For more information and to book tickets, please call 01684 584924 or visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk.