Four-day gardening bonanza sells fast

From the archive, first published Tuesday 14th Mar 2006.

IT looks like a record number of green fingers will descend upon Malvern in May as ticket sales for the Spring Gardening Show soar.

Box office phones have been ringing non-stop and staff have announced a 100 per cent increase in advance bookings on last year.

For the first time ever the Malvern Spring Gardening Show, held at the Three Counties Showground, will be a four-day event, introduced because of the growing number of visitors year on year.

The Three Counties Agricultural Society, which organises the event, said it has taken calls from all over the UK as well as Canada, America, Belgium and Netherlands.

New for this year is the Garden Life Pavilion, where specialist plants and out-of-the-ordinary sundries will be on display.

The show, popular with amateur gardeners wanting to get tips off people who garden for a living, will give people the chance to talk with real gardeners who make their living, literally, off the land.

Instead of celebrity gardeners, a number of designers, growers and students will take the spotlight in the Interactive Design Theatre, to talk about the trials and tribulations of growing great plants and creating award-winning gardens.

The on-going Design Challenge Grant, launched to give financial support to up- and-coming gardeners, and Border Without Gardens competition for colleges, mean a number of new gardens, both traditional and contemporary, will be at the show.

Other attractions include the largest floral art show in the country, sponsored by Cote D'or, craft stands, food and wine stands, and hundreds of tradespeople selling everything from seeds to tools

The 21st Malvern Spring Gardening Show takes place from Thursday, May 11, until Sunday, May 14.

Tickets with prices ranging from £15 for on the day entry to £25 for preview day passes, are available from the box office on 01684 584924.

For general information call 01684 584900.

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