Record number of plant varieties to be launched at RHS Malvern Spring Festival

A record number of new plant varieties are to be launched at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival by some of the finest specialist nurseries in Britain, all of whom will be exhibiting in the show’s prestigious Floral Marquee.

Sixteen nurseries are planning to launch more than 30 new varieties at the four-day event, which takes place from May 7-10 at Three Counties Showground, Malvern.

From Dumfries to Devon, the horticultural experts will make the journey to Malvern to display their best blooms in the hope of being awarded the coveted RHS Gold Medal.

The length of four Olympic swimming pools, the Floral Marquee at RHS Malvern Spring Festival is the most oversubscribed on the RHS Flower Show circuit and this year will be home to 68 exhibits.

A haven for gardeners wishing to take something special home, the Floral Marquee is the place for visitors to buy plants and gain expert advice.

Among those launching new varieties this year is Berkshire based H.W. Hyde & Son with a new introduction of Alstroemeria named 'Garden Jewels', Cumbrian nursery, East of Eden Nursery, with its new series of Geum Valley H1, named ‘Downtreader’ and ‘Wish Song’, and Gobbett Nursery from Worcestershire with new varieties of Iris Sibirica, Cornus Viburnum and Cytisus.

Head of Shows, Diana Walton said it would be an exciting time for the nurseries of the Floral Marquee.

“The Floral Marquee is one of the first stops for our visitors as they arrive,” she said. “And it’s no wonder  - it’s an absolute riot of colour and the smells are sensational. It’s one of my favourite places to be during the festival.

“As RHS Malvern takes place at the start of the growing season, many people are looking to stock up on new plants and especially new varieties to their gardens. The Floral Marquee is the perfect place to do so, and this year with more nurseries than ever before, our visitors will surely be spoilt for choice.” 

Ollie Walker, manager of Sienna Hosta in Surrey, said RHS Malvern Spring Festival was a perfect time of year to unveil new offerings.

“The wonderful thing about Malvern is you get a mix of plant enthusiasts and novices, both groups really eager to add something new to the garden,” he explained. “And spring really is the perfect time to get going.”

RHS Malvern Spring Festival Show Ambassador and plantsman, Chris Beardshaw welcomed the news. He said: “RHS Malvern hosts many of the UK’s very finest growers and nurseries and like all the other plant lovers, I am really looking forward to heading to the Floral Marquee to meet them and to see the record number of new plants that are being launched at the Festival this year.”

Celebrating its 35th anniversary, RHS Malvern Spring Festival is seen by many as the official start of spring and attracts more than 100,000 people annually. Visitors flock to see its inspirational show gardens and beautiful Floral Marquee, get top tips from the experts and enjoy the best food and drink that Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and Herefordshire has to offer.

The four-day RHS Malvern Spring Festival, which runs from May 7 to 10 in association with boutique travel company Great Little Breaks, will hold a special Music at Malvern outdoor concert series for the first time ever, featuring performances by national treasure Lesley Garrett, the 54-piece English Symphony Orchestra and a Garden Party with BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley.

Advance tickets for the festival are now on sale, with prices starting at just £20 for RHS and Three Counties members, or £22 for the general public (plus 75p transaction fee). Children under 16 go free. Group tickets are also available.