As someone who is potty about wildlife gardening, I was more than a little happy to learn that biodiversity was the central theme at this year's Malvern Spring Gardening Show.
As someone who is potty about wildlife gardening, I was more than a little happy to learn that biodiversity was the central theme at this year's Malvern Spring Gardening Show. Between now and Sunday there's plenty to keep gardeners and wildlife enthusiasts entertained, from talks and demonstrations in the new Garden in Harmony Theatre, to 'biodiverse' show gardens and dedicated nature-friendly plant nurseries.
It was my first trip to Malvern. First stop was the Garden in Harmony Theatre, which featured raised beds planted with nectar plants and companion planting schemes. 'An audience with Mathew Wilson' warmed up the crowd before Jekka McVicar presented a lecture on growing and eating native plants. I wish I could have stayed for the rest of the weekend, as there are talks and demonstrations on all of my favorite subjects, including organic herbs and planting, garden wildlife, bees, butterflies and nature-friendly garden designs, all hosted by Katie Johnson and James Alexander-Sinclair, who has a sexy new haircut.
There was an interesting mix of show gardens, including the rather strange Garden Before Time, which consisted of a giant pterodactyl towering above prehistoric plants mulched with coal. Favourites included 'My Very Local Veg Garden', which was made using plants and materials sourced from within cycling distance of designer Hannah Genders's home. I also liked the Garden For Life, designed by Stuart Gibbs. It was lovely to see a wildlife-friendly family garden, as the two themes aren't often seen together. The Gardeners' World TV crew was camped outside it for a large portion of the day, so look out for it on tonight's programme (13 May, 2011).
Talking of diversity, the warm spring has ensured that the plant marquee has a much greater range of plants than you would normally find at Malvern. Lots of summer-flowering plants were on show, and there was a rather spectacular display of flowering cacti. What will be in flower for Chelsea I wonder?
See more comments...
