Highlights of RHS Malvern Spring 2019

Leading nurseries, gardening experts and top designers were all at the RHS Malvern Spring Festival – here are some of the 2019 highlights

Gardening ideas for small spaces

Channelling your inner horticulturist can seem a challenge if you haven’t got acres of space at home, but we had this covered at RHS Malvern. Our Green Living Spaces offered innovative ideas for planting up small spaces that were beautiful while also being practical.

The medal-winning gardens

Gorgeous show gardens

There was also an amazing selection of Show Gardens. Designers were given free-rein to choose their garden’s theme and they didn't dissapoint with four gardens being awarded the highest accolade – an RHS Gold medal.  

Plants to green the home 

​New for 2019 was the specialist house plant feature in the Floral Marquee. Louisa Gill of Folia Planting in Cheltenham and nurseryman Jon Wheatley assembled an inspiring exhibit showcasing house plants in a contemporary domestic setting - specific plants such as Boston fern (Nephrolepis) and mother-in-law's tongue (Sansevieria) were placed in positions in particular rooms where they would thrive best.

Fabulous plants

The Floral Marquee was packed with superb exhibits offering myriad plants to add colour and interest to the garden. Outstanding displays included an impressively colourful assortment from Avon Bulbs of Somerset, including delightful Gladiolus tristis with its lemon yellow night scented flowers, gold-leaved Convallaria majalis 'Fernwood's Golden Slippers' and Tulipa 'Fly Away' with its pointed red and yellow-flamed petals.

And there was more...

East of Eden Nurseries of Cumbria specialise in Geum and their exhibit featured soft orange Geum 'Pineapple Crush' and G. 'Maddy Prior' with ruffled pale yellow petals. Another stand worth a closer look was that of Rococo Ranunculus. The result of 25 years of breeding by plantsman John Fielding, these exciting, newly available hardy border perennials had flowers in shades of orange yellow or pink, and begin their spectacular display in May; they also make great cut flowers.

Visitors found more than 65 leading nurseries from all over the UK, showcasing plants and flowers at the peak of perfection.

Local pupils captured a moment in time

The ever-popular School Gardens embraced the theme of 'a moment in time' with a huge variety of fun and energy. From science projects to tea parties, 'rivers' of flowers to environmental awareness, the 12 gardens celebrated the diversity and individuality of the children's creativity. It was a highlight of the show and hinted at budding gardeners of the future.

Planted with Passion: wellbeing borders

The focal point of this year's Live Well Zone were the Mind for Wellbeing Borders. The four borders were packed full of planting ideas for visitors to recreate at home. 

Gardening can provide a purposeful and relaxing activity; by working with edibles people can experience positive pay-back for a small investment of time and energy. After the show, the borders will be moved to Stratford upon Avon Hospital.

Expert talks: advice, opinion and delicious recipes

This area of the show, just outside the Floral Marquee, was a recipe for success. Expert chefs revealed delicious and easy recipes that can be created using food grown at home.

Other speakers included Monty Don talking about his take on health and wellbeing, Carol Klein's passion for plants, Jonathan Moseley discussing the therapeutic benefit of plants and foliage and Frank P. Matthews talking about edible plants.

For something more plant-based, our gardening experts joined us in the Festival Theatre. From floristry to getting out in the garden, our experts revealed tips and tricks to keep plants thriving.

Growing Rooms: indoor planting inspired by art

Designer Paul Hervey-Brookes took the concept of displaying house plants further with his exciting show feature Growing Rooms. Three competition winners assembled room sets that were inspired by pieces of art.

'The Green Eclectic Nomad' was all layered colours and fabrics with hanging spider plants and asparagus; 'Stash- All the Colours' featured a workshop with hanging air-plants, wall-mounted Medinilla magnifica and a beautiful living tapestry of foliage plants. 'Rue De Eccoles' was designed to feel like an abandoned apartment where plants were slowly taking over.