Highgrove is holding its first garden festival this spring with talks by celebrity gardeners, tours of the Royal garden and a special plant fair.
Alan Titchmarsh, Jekka McVicar, Raymond Blanc and Sarah Raven are just some of the speakers at the event, which runs from April 11 to 16, 2016. Topics range from growing food organically and plant care to garden history and topiary.
Cheltenham-based Chris Beardshaw will discuss making a show garden, designer Bunny Guinness will talk about transforming a garden and award-winning Andy Sturgeon will explore how to create a contemporary garden.
There will be two evening events with a talk and supper: Carol Klein will present one on her latest book, Making a Garden, Successful Gardening by Nature’s Rules, and Bob Flowerdew will host the other on the perfect garden.
Other events are for a lunch, a talk and a tour of the garden while special hour-long tours of the Highgrove grounds include afternoon tea.
“We’re hoping there’s something for everybody,” explained marketing manager Nikki Chee.
Highgrove: The Garden Celebrated is billed as a celebration of one of Britain’s favourite pastimes and is based on the principles behind the Prince of Wales’ organically run private garden, which has been created over the past 35 years.
One of the main features is the wildflower meadow and BBC Gardeners’ World presenter Rachel de Thame will present a joint talk with botanist Trevor Dines on growing wild flowers.
Topiary is another important element and this skill will be discussed by cloud pruning specialist and topiary expert Jake Hobson.
Other speakers include Highgrove’s head gardener Debs Goodenough, TV gardener and broadcaster David Domoney, Caroline Tatham from The Cotswold Gardening School, and designers Julian and Isabel Bannerman.
“The festival truly captures the essence of Highgrove,” said Chris Prescott, chief executive at Highgrove Enterprises. “It will be a unique insight into the ethos and sustainable approach behind the gardens, as well as a reflection of the horticultural interests and enthusiasms of HRH The Prince of Wales.”
Running alongside the talks will be a spring plant fair and a retail pavilion with exhibitors hand-picked by Highgrove.
All profits from the event will go to The Prince of Wales’ Charitable Foundation, which supports a wide range of causes.
“If it’s successful, we would love to make it an annual event,” added Nikki.
• Tickets, which range from £17.50 to £95, go on sale on Thursday February 18. For details and to book: http://www.highgroveshop.com/festival.html
