ON NOW UNTIL...
...August
Cambridge University 'Science on Sundays' at Botanic Garden
Cambridge University will be hosting a series of 'Science on Sundays' talks taking place between 11am and 2pm monthly every Sunday in the Garden's classrooms. Professors of the University will be answering some fascinating questions such as 'how rice survives flooding' and 'how do plants spin sugars into fibres'. There is no need to book and admission to the talks are free, however garden admission charges apply.
...July 14
Sussex
Architectural Plants Sculpture Exhibition
Architectural Plants is a highly regarded nursery, supplying rare plants. From March 15 they will be host to The Garden Gallery for a four-month exhibition, showcasing contemporary sculptures in stone, bronze, steel, glass and ceramic by some of the gallery's regular artists.
Architectural Plants, Stane Street, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1DJ (01794 301144; architecturalplants.com)
...October 28
Humphry Repton Bicentennial
Exhibition - Humphry Repton: Art & Nature for the Duke of Bedford at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire
Open March 23 to October 28, this exhibition explores the fascinating relationship between Repton and one of his greatest clients. On public display for the first time will be his most elaborate and comprehensive ‘Red Book’, his famous presentation document of proposed designs. His Red Book for Woburn was commissioned in 1804 and illustrates his innovative plans for the Pleasure Grounds and Park, many of which were subsequently realised by the 6th Duke of Bedford.
(020 7608 2409; thegardenstrust.org)
...July 12
Cirencester
The Centenary of Rosemary Verey's Birth, to be Celebrated at Barnsley House
To celebrate the centenary of the birth of 'queen bee of English country house gardening', Rosemary Verey, the esteemed Barnsley House will be holding a series of celebrations, beginning with a 'meet the gardeners' tour and lunch on April 5. Home to Rosemary and her family until 201, the Grade II listed building turned boutique hotel was where she curated her beautiful gardens that live on to this day. For more information about the various events going on up until July, visit the The tour and lunch is £37 per head and starts at 11:30.
... July 22
London SE1
Cedric Morris Exhibition, The Garden Museum
The exhibition Cedric Morris: Artist Plantsman celebrates British artist Cedric Morris (1889-1982), who founded the East Anglian school of Painting and Drawing at Benton End, Suffolk. Morris achieved national stature both as a plantsman (he is still renowned as a breeder of irises) and a painter.
The Garden Museum, Lambeth Palace Road London SE1 7LB (020 7401 8865; gardenmuseum.org.uk)
JUNE
June 16-18
Leicestershire
Hoby Open Garden Weekend
The village of Hoby will be holding its biennial Open Gardens weekend from June 16, filled with activities including a tombola, art exhibition, plant and cake sale, and the famous White Elephant stall. A bistro will be laid out in the village hall with a Pimms bar to top off this joyous summer celebration. Adult entrance is £5 and children go free, with all funds going towards the restoration of the North Aisle and accessibility at All Saints church.
11am - 5pm, opengardens.co.uk
June 16-17
Dorset
Gardens of Cranborne Open Weekend
20 of the beautiful gardens of Cranborne, from the stunning Cranborne Manor Gardens to elegant modern homes and much-loved cottage gardens, will be open for the public to enjoy this weekend in June. Local artists will be exhibiting their work in the gardens, and activities such as maypole dancing and craft stalls will be providing ample entertainment. Admission is £10 for adults for the whole weekend, and funds will be going towards the local church.
June 16-17
Wales
Wales Wildflower Weekend at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales
For the past six years the National Botanic Gardens of Wales have celebrated these beautiful and important flowers. Nature-lovers will have the chance to learn more about wildflowers with a weekend of guided walks, talks, demonstrations and displays. Highlights include a talk by Botanic Garden’s Head of Science, Dr Natasha de Vere, and a special tribute to the late Quentin Kay, who was instrumental in establishing the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Admission is £14.50 for adults.
June 16-17
Leicestershire
Hoby Open Gardens Weekend
11 gardens will be open to the public this weekend in aid of the restoration of the North Aisle and accessibility to All Saints Church. There will be a bistro in the village hall, a Pimms bar and cream teas, alongside a number of local stalls selling craft, food and plants. Tickets are £5 for adults, including parking.
Hoby, Leicestershire
June 17
Hertfordshire
Bayford Musical Gardens Day
To mark Bayford's 30th anniversary, the Bayfords Garden Day team will be pulling out all the stops with live bands, barbecues, live animals from Paradise Wildlife Park, ale and wine bars, and of course, a local plant sale. All proceeds will be going toward the NSPCC, NGS and Red Cross among others. Admission is £10 for adults, with children entering for free.
Derbyshire
Culland Hall's 'Perfect Potager' Open Garden Event
Hidden within a maze of country lanes near Ashbourne sits the majestic Culland Hall, whose four acres of perfectly preened gardens are open for just one day of the year to the public. Visitors this year can marvel at the fragrant rose garden featuring more than 100 varieties, and have a first look at the new fernery project being undertaken by owner, Lucy Thompson. A handpicked selection of nurderies will be selling plants, and there will be an array of gardening related paintings and antiques on sale. Entrance is £6, and refreshments will be available in the walled kitchen garden.
Open 10am-3pm; Culland Hall, Brailsford, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 3BW (01335 350 737)
June 21
Buckinghamshire
Turn End
Summer Solstice Midsummer Nights Tour
Join Jackie Hunt, head gardener at Turn End, for a summer evening stroll around the garden in celebration of the summer solstice. Pimms or cordial will be served, and tickets will be £15.
7:30-9:30pm,Turn End House, Townside, Haddenham, Aylesbury HP17 8BG (www.turnend.org.uk)
June 22-24
Somerset
Bishop's Palace Garden Festival
The 14 acres of beautiful landscape around Bishop's Palace will be hosting a range of talks, demonstrations, stalls, expert garden speakers, music and food, providing plenty to see and do.
Open 10am-5pm; Bishop's Palace Gardens, Wells, Somerset BA5 2PD (01749 988111; bishopspalace.org.uk)
June 22- 24
Oxfordshire
Blenheim Palace Flower Show
Blenheim Palace Flower show returns for a sixth year, with a newly built orchid tunnel and the largest number of exhibitors yet. Over 45 exhibitors will display in the Grand Floral Pavilion. Any summer plants can be picked up in the Plant Village and specialist plants will be available to buy from 3pm on the Sunday in the pavilion.
Blenheim Palace Woodstock Oxfordshire OX20 1PP (01993 810530; blenheimflowershow.co.uk)
June 23
Buckinghamshire
Turn End
Quiet Garden Open Day
Late June sees the garden at Turn End in full bloom, with cascades of roses and a rich tapestry of colour in the borders. The garden in Turn End will be open for the public to wander round and enjoy, and even to bring a picnic blanket along to relax in the early summer sun.
Turn End House, Townside, Haddenham, Aylesbury HP17 8BG (www.turnend.org.uk)
Surrey
Epson Garden Society Summer Show
On Saturday afternoon Epsom Garden Society will be holding their annual summer show at St Martin's Junior School, with fun categories for children, novices and experts to enter. The show will also feature a plant sale, a raffle and refreshments.
2:00-4:30pm, St Martin's Junior School, Ashley Road, Epsom, Surrey KT18 7AD
June 23-24
Bedfordshire
Woburn Abbey Garden Festival
Now in its ninth year, the 'gardener's garden show' will be returning with a fantastic lineup of speakers, nurseries and exhibitors, all set within the stunning 42 acres of the Abbey's gardens. This year, headlines include BBC Gardeners' World's Adam Frost and Pippa Greenwood, as well as celebrity chef Rachel Green. Tickets are £13 for adults and £8 for children.
June 24
Cheshire
Arley Garden Festival
Three leading figures in Cheshire hotriculture will be sharing their knowledge at Arley Garden Festival. Lord Ashbrook, whose family have nurtured Arley’s gardens for 250 years, Arley’s Head Gardener Gordon Baillie and former BBC Gardener of the Year Sue Beesley will sit on the popular Question Time panel. Other highlights of the festival will include local food and craft stalls, a floral marquee, live music and a classic car display.
June 24
Somerset
Chard Open Garden Event for Riding for the Disabled
The gardens in and around the quaint village of Thorncombe near Chard will be open to the public today to raise funds for Riding for the Disabled. Visitors will get the chance to pet a pair of wonderful ponies, browse the plant stalls and enjoy a delicious cream tea in the village hall.
North Yorkshire
Marton cum Grafton Open Gardens
With over 20 gardens open to visitors, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore the charming village in North Yorkshire. As well as a variety of beautifully kept gardens with views over the Yorkshire Dales, Marton cum Grafton open gardens will have a floral display in Christ Church, a local arts and crafts exhibition and a village fete filled with fun and games on Grafton Green. A barbecue will be lit and food and refreshments will be available in Marton village hall, of course, with cakes provided by the WI. Entry is £5 for adults, with all proceeds going towards community projects.
Surrey
Shere
Shere Celebrated 40 Years of Open Gardens
The picturesque village of Shere, near Guildford, will be celebrating 40 years of open garden events on this weekend, with 28 private gardens opening their gates to help raise funds for village causes. As well as a wide variety of gorgeous village gardens, there will also be a plant sale, an over-the-wall gardeners' question time at the allotments, and a cake sale held at the village hall. Entry is £7 for adults, £6 for OAPs.
June 30
Somerset
Tintinhull Village Open Garden Event
Tintinhull Village will once again be holding a village open garden event with 15 gardens opening. The new village hall will be open and serving refreshments all day, as well as holding a plant sale.
10am-5pm, entrance £5. Tintinhull Village Hall, South Somerset BA22 8PY (01935 824868; opengardens.co.uk)
June 30
Kent
Ewell Horticultural Association's Summer Show
Held at Blenheim High School, the Ewell Horticultural Association will be showcasing their gorgeous displays of summer flowers and home grown vegetables, as well as holding cookery demonstrations, photography and craft stalls. Delicious homemade cakes will be provided and a raffle will take place.
2:30-4:30. Blenheim High School, Longmead Road, Epsom KT19 9BH (ewellhortassn.co.uk)
June 30 - July 1
West Sussex
Rural Life Weekend: Historic Gardens
The Weald & Downland Living Museum in West Sussex opens its herbarium to visitors, celebrating the importance of the garden for medicinal and culinary purposes in days gone by. Guided walks and talks, exclusive displays and even the chance to talk to the museum's gardening team will be available all weekend.
Weald & Downland Living Museum, Town Lane, Chichester PO18 0EU (01243 811363; wealddown.co.uk)
Cambridgeshire
Abbots Ripton Hall Garden Show
Lord and Lady De Ramsey will be opening their stunning gardens to the public in aid of local charities. Visitors will be able to enjoy a full programme of demonstrations, private tours, a Saturday night party in the marquee, a locally-sourced food fayre and plenty more, including a deliciously tempting chocolate workshop by Hotel Chocolat. Ticket prices vary and can be bought here.
JULY
July 1
Worcestershire
Kidderminster Open Garden Event
Kidderminster Horticultural Society will be hosting an open garden day in aid of local charities, with 10 gardens and allotments open to the public. Refreshments and homemade cakes will be available at the gardens, along with cuttings from the gardens and advice given by the gardeners. Tickets are £5 and can be purchased from John Beard Tools & Ironmongery (Bridge Street, Kidderminster), and Stourport Photo Centre.
Kidderminster, Worcestershire
West Sussex
Shipley Open Gardens
10 picturesque gardens will be opening for this year's Shipley Open Gardens event on Sunday. Alongside the wide variety of gardens on show, there will be a plant sale on the Old Vicarage field, ploughmans lunches served at Green Gates, and tea and cakes will be sold at the Old Vicarage. Tickets are £5 and can be bought from either Green Gates or the Old Vicarage, with proceeds going towards Shipley Church.
Shipley, West Sussex
July 1-8
Lincolnshire
Easton Walled Gardens' Sweet Pea Week
Highly commended in the 'Hidden Gem' category of the Hudsons Heritage Awards 2017, Easton Walled Gardens has been growing sweet peas since 2001. To this day, they now grow 50 varieties of sweet pea, which will be on display among the 12 acres of garden filled with wildflower and roses. Admission is £7.50 for adults and £3.50 for children.
Easton Walled Gardens, Easton Ln, Grantham NG33 5AP (01476 530063, visiteaston.co.uk)
July 3-8
Richmond, London
RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show
The largest flower show in the world returns bringing all the regular attractions to the Tudor palace. The show gardens, Rose Marquee and plant pavilions are ripe for exploration alongside a variety of talks, demonstrations and exhibits. Visit the Festival of Roses to spot the 2018 Rose of the Year, Lovestruck ('Dicommatac').
The Garden Museum's Annual Literary Festival
This year the world's only literary festival dedicated to gardening will be taking place in the Museum's London home. With 'urban greenery' as its theme, festival goers can expect a wide range of talks including Allan Jenkins on early morning gardening, Bee Wilson on 'supertasters', George Plumptre on London's secret gardens and many more over the two days. There will also be talks on foraging and healing plants, cookery demonstrations, beekeeping workshops, botanical drawing and original poetry by Jackie Wills. Tickets are on sale now.
July 7-8
North Yorkshire
Ryedale Rose Festival
RV Roger of Pickering is one of the most highly regarded nurseries in the north of England, who this year will be hosting the Ryedale Rose Festival. Free to enter, the festival promises thousands of roses, stalls, music and expert advice for a fun and informative day out.
RV Roger Ltd, The Nurseries, Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 7JW
July 27-29
Surrey
The Garden Show at Loseley Park
Returning for its seventh year, the Garden Show at Loseley Park always proves a lovely day out for the garden expert, novice and family alike. With over 200 stands showcasing specialist plants, garden and home accessories, art, design, sculpture, toys and local produce, there's something to please everyone. Dima's Kitchen will be returning to give cookery demonstrations, and there will be plenty of entertainment to keep young visitors entertained. Tickets are £7 for adults, £3 for children, with proceeds going towards Shooting Star Chase.
Stockbridge Open Gardens
The Stockbridge Open Garden weekend is a popular event that has been running for over 20 years; this year, 12 gardens will be open to the public in this beautiful village set in the Test Valley. A mixture of small, large, wild gardens and allotments will be on display, with a cream tea set up on the lawn next to St Peter's Church for garden enthusiasts in need of replenishing. The town band will also be playing, and there will be a plant sale in the church. Tickets are £8 for adults, with funds going towards the church.
Northamptonshire
Cold Ashby Open Gardens Event
12 gardens in the tiny village of North Ashby will open to the public in aid of the village's 12th century church, St Denys. As well as a showcase of some of the villages beautiful gardens, there will be a selection of artisan bread, Melton Mowbray pork pies, homemade fudge, cakes and all manner of local produce for sale throughout the village. The Black Horse Pub will also be doing a barbecue at 5:30 on the Saturday to top the day off. Admission is £3.50, with children entering free.
Cold Ashby, Northamptonshire
AUGUST
August 10-12
West Sussex
West Dean Gardens Chilli Fiesta
Over 150 chilli plant varieties will be on display in the West Dean glasshouses at the UK's biggest chilli festival. Live music, Latin dance demonstrations, chilli-based cookery shows, a vintage fun fair and gardening demonstrations are spread across the three days, as well as over 140 craft stalls. Pick up chilli plants at the garden shop or look out for the chilli plant sale carts.
West Dean Gardens, Nr Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0RX (01243 818210; westdean.org.uk/gardens)
August 26-27
Shropshire
Plant Hunters' Fair
The Dorothy Clive Garden in Willoughbridge is holding its 10th Plant Hunters' Fair over the August bank holiday. Top class nurseries, including RHS Gold medalists, will be offering a variety of plants to visitors. The event is fund-raising for the Willoughbridge Garden Charitable Trust. Entry £4.
The Dorothy Clive Garden, Willoughbridge, Market Drayton, Shropshire TF9 4EU (01270 811443; planthuntersfairs.co.uk)
SEPTEMBER
September 14-16
Yorkshire
Harrogate Autumn Flower Show
The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show brings floral beautiful into the darkening autumn days, with the country's biggest exhibition of specialist gardening groups. Over 5,000 autumn blooms will be on show, alongside live expert demonstrations, giant vegetable competitions and garden shopping. Entry on the gate from £18.50, or booked in advance from £16.00.
North of England Horticultural Society, Great Yorkshire Showground Harrogate North Yorkshire HG2 8NZ (flowershow.org.uk)
September 22
Kent
Ewell Horticultural Association's Autumn Show
The Ewell Horticultural Association will be showcasing some gorgeous late summer flowers in their seasonal show. Alongside the flower displays will be cookery demonstrations, floral art and a range of bulbs and sundries available to buy. All are welcome and entrance is free.
2:30-4:30. Blenheim High School, Longmead Road, Epsom KT19 9BH (ewellhortassn.co.uk)
OCTOBER
October 27-28
London
RHS London Urban Garden Show
Experience the cutting-edge of urban gardening at the RHS London Urban Show as this three-day event reveals unusual ways to get more greenery into city life. Pick up exotic plants and botanically inspired products and explore nature through technology (last year's show featured a virtual reality experience). Tickets are already on sale.
RHS Lindley Hall and RHS Lawrence Hall, Westminster, SW1P 2QW (rhs.org.uk)
NOVEMBER
November 17 - February 24 (2019)
Norman Ackroyd RA Showcase
The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is holding an exhibition of renowned artist and printmaker Norman Ackroyd RA, showcasing his vast body of work that looks at natural landscapes of the British Isles. On show are earlier works the artist created in Yorkshire in 1959 which have never been shown before. Entry is free (although parking must be paid for), and includes access to the beautiful landscapes of the 500-acre parkland which houses sculptures by Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park West Bretton Wakefield WF4 4LG (ysp.org.uk)