The RHS show season is now in full swing with Chelsea last week and Chatsworth about to open. But, if you’re not going to make one of the big shows, there’s plenty of plants, expert advice, specialist displays and flowers on offer in the Cotswolds over the next few weeks.
Nurseries head for Cotswolds
The next in the regular Generous Gardener sales is on Friday June 1, 2018, with several top nurseries and the chance to look around Mel Tanner’s lovely Cotswold garden as an added bonus.
Among those attending are Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants, fresh from their Chelsea success where they won their 23rd gold medal, Tortworth Plants, Derry Watkins from Special Plants, The Cottage Herbery, and ShadyPlants.com with their solutions for those tricky garden spots.
As well as plants, there’s the chance to buy plant supports, obelisks and tools.
The sale is from 10am to 2pm at The Coach House, Ampney Crucis, near Cirencester. Entry is £5 to include entry to the garden, a donation to the James Hopkins Trust, coffee and chocolate brownies.
Expert advice
Rosy Hardy will also be in the Cotswolds later in the month, talking about summer perennials on June 10.
She’ll be giving her expert advice on what to choose, how to grow them and ideas for winning plant combinations that will make your summer borders shine.
The event is being held alongside an open day at one of Gloucestershire’s National Garden Scheme events.
South Lodge at Clearwell, near Coleford, is a two-acre country garden with large herbaceous borders and a collection of trees.
It will be open on June 10, 2018 from 1pm to 5pm, with admission £4, children’s entry free. Rosy will be giving two talks at 1.30pm and 3pm and there is no extra charge for that. You can either turn up on the day, or reserve a place by calling 01594 837769, or emailing southlodgegarden@btinternet.com
Cactus show
There will be more expert advice and the chance to marvel at perfect plant specimens at a cactus show in Gloucestershire on Saturday June 2.
Everything from agaves and aloes to opuntias and echeverias will be displayed at the event organised by the Gloucester and district branch of the British Cactus and Succulent Society.
Members will be competing in 57 different classes and organisers expect there to be nearly 500 plants on display with exhibitors coming from as far as Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham and Oxford.
There will be plants for sale and, if you want tips on how to grow, there will be plenty of help available.
“Our members will be happy to answer queries on cultivation and identification, or anything else relating to these fascinating plants,” says John Foster, branch chairman.
The show is being held at Shurdington Social Centre, Shurdington, near Cheltenham on Saturday June 2, 2018, from 11am to 4pm. Admission is £1.
Flower festival
Colesbourne Park is best known for its snowdrop display but there’s the chance to see the garden in summer next month as part of a flower festival.
Woodland walks through the arboretum and the famous ‘blue lake’ are among the attractions of the garden near Cheltenham.
The flower festival is being held in St James’ Church, which on the estate owned by Sir Henry and Lady Elwes, on Saurday and Sunday July 14 and 15, 2018.
Local flower arrangers will be showing off displays with the theme of Country Flowers for Country Churches and there will be three flower arranging demonstrations during the day and equipment for sale.
Homemade strawberry cream teas will be served in the Long Room of Colesbourne Park.
The flower festival runs from 2pm to 6pm on both days, finishing with a festival evensong at 6.30pm in the church on Sunday July 15.
Admission is free but there will be a charge for the tea and flower demonstrations with all proceeds going to the St James’ Nave Roof Fund.