A display of daffodils at Cornwall Spring Flower Show. Photo Charles Francis

Cornwall Garden Society’s Spring Flower Show Bursts into Bloom

Dramatic displays of spring flowers and shrubs; exquisite exhibits by leading nurseries and landscape artists; a spectacular spread of horticultural traders; a Floral Art marquee and botanical illustrations from the Eden Project’s Florilegium Society are just some of the features of the Cornwall Garden Society’s 2022 Spring Flower Show to be staged at The Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd April 2022.

Described by The Telegraph as “the most highly regarded spring show in the country” and by Gardens Illustrated as “one of the best flower and garden shows,” this popular two-day event, sponsored by Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management, celebrates Cornwall’s early spring on an unprecedented scale.

“Dazzling daffodils, magnificent magnolias, captivating camellias and resplendent rhododendrons in the Competitive Classes, and 80+ specialist nurseries and garden traders are just the thing to banish Covid-19 into the shadows and give us all a much-needed boost after the challenges, restrictions and cancellations of the past two years,” says Show Director, Dickie Trant.

“More than 40 nurseries, from Cornwall, the south west and beyond, including Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Chelsea Gold medal winners, all bring something unique, under one roof at the Show. Visiting them in their home locations would involve many miles of driving, so our event offers an enticing opportunity to purchase a quality array of plants and gardening accessories, right on your doorstep.”

From furniture to fire-pits, gloves to granite, metalwork to mowers, garden forks to glass art, and secateurs to sculpture, the Show will provide much to tempt both seasoned horticulturalist and gardening enthusiast alike.

An Artisan Area will showcase high-quality, handmade items to adorn you, your home and your garden; talks, demonstrations and Gardeners’ Q&As hosted by Alasdair Moore, Head of Gardens and Estate at the Lost Gardens of Heligan will educate and entertain, and a delicious array of Cornish food and drink will fuel and refresh you throughout. 

In the Children’s Competitive Classes, artistic displays of marine-salvaged plastic in boxes planted with flowers, created by local schools, will be judged by Emily Stevenson of Beach Guardian, and highlight the threat that plastic waste poses for our precious coastline.

Young horticulturalists will be able to learn from these exhibits and enjoy immersive story-telling from Laura Salmon of The Story Garden.

“As a conservation charity, we are proud to be introducing new elements that will enhance our young gardeners’ understanding of the world around them and bring about positive change,” adds Dickie Trant. “Building on our successful relocation to the county showground in 2019, there will be lots to see and do for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you have a window box, a flower border or a vast outdoor space, we hope you will gather your green-fingered family members and friends, and join us for what promises to be a weekend filled with flowers, fun and everything that is magical about Cornwall at this time of year.”

Tickets for the Show are £13.50 in advance or £15 on the gate (card payments only).  To book, visit http://cornwallgardensociety.org.uk/tickets

Free admission for under 16s. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

The Schedule of Competitive Classes has been refined for 2022 and is available as a digital download from www.cornwallgardensociety.org.uk/spring-flower-show

It includes a separate section for Novice Classes to encourage more first-time exhibitors to enter their best blooms.