Tipi Talks by national names and local luminaries; a pedal-powered Sustainability Hub, a Grow Your Own allotment and a Roots & Shoots space for young people are just some of the vibrant new features that will complement the breathtaking displays of beautiful blooms and gorgeous greenery at the Cornwall Garden Society’s 2025 Spring Flower Show.
Sponsored by Cornish Lithium, St Austell Brewery and St Eval, this popular two-day festival of springtime – on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April at The Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge – is a highlight of the horticultural year and offers a fun and fascinating day out for all the family, whatever the weather.
Sir Tim Smit KBE, who restored The Lost Gardens of Heligan and co-founded The Eden Project, will officially open the Show at 10am on Saturday 5th April.
Tipi Talks have been co-curated by the Cornwall Garden Society (CGS) and Alasdair Moore from The Lost Gardens of Heligan, with the generous support of The Phoenix Tanner Trust through the Cornwall Community Foundation.
Across the weekend, themes of climate change, embracing nature and encouraging biodiversity will be explored by experts in their fields in an atmosphere of comfortable conviviality.
Geraint Richards, who is Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall and His Majesty the King, as well as the newly-appointed High Sheriff of Cornwall for 2025/2026, will talk trees, woodlands and The Queen’s Green Canopy with tree expert and former Head of Arboretum, Gardens and Horticultural Services at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Tony Kirkham.
Geraint Richards is Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall and His Majesty the King, as well as the newly-appointed High Sheriff of Cornwall for 2025/2026 – Image Credit Charles Sainsbury-Plaice
Head of Gardens and Parks at The National Trust, Sheila Das, who is passionate about gardening in sustainable ways to support the health of people and planet, will share the secrets of soil, ‘the magic beneath our feet.’
John Little, who designs green-roof buildings to drive biodiversity, and runs a not-for-profit training organisation for gardeners, will join wildlife advocate and Head Gardener at Eden Nature Garden in London, Benny Hawksbee, in conversation about gardens and the natural world.
Benny Hawksbee is a wildlife advocate and Head Gardener at Eden Nature Garden – Image Credit Katy Watson
Tom Hoblyn, who specialises in luxury garden design and is a multi-award-winner at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court, will share his thoughts on adapting from Suffolk’s sun to Cornwall’s rain in a shifting climate as he returns to his Cornish roots.
Tom Hoblyn specialises in luxury garden design – Image Credit Tom Hoblyn
Garden Editor of House & Garden magazine, Clare Foster, will explore how garden makers and designers are responding to climate change to make wilder, eco-sensitive gardens that connect us to nature, through her new book, Pastoral Gardens.
Clare Foster is the Garden Editor for Homes & Garden magazine – Image Credit Andrew Montgomery
Local experts, John Lanyon (former Head Gardener of National Trust Trelissick, Glendurgan, Trerice, Bosloe and Cotehele) and Duana Pearson (Tresillian House) will also share their extensive knowledge and experience of Cornish gardens and gardening.
“The Cornwall Garden Society is all about sharing gardening knowledge and conserving Cornwall’s natural environment for the future so we have created a warm and welcoming space where you can grab a cuppa and a slice of cake, cosy up beside one of our firepits and learn from some of the horticultural world’s most progressive practitioners in a relaxed way,” explains Spring Flower Show Director, Mark Holman.
The focal point of The Sustainability Hub – a collaboration between the CGS, Andrew Whittle from Beach Guardian and The Eden Project, designed to stimulate dialogue about how we can garden more sustainably in the future – will be a giant greenhouse constructed from repurposed plastic bottles to show how plants can be grown in a low cost, low carbon manner.
Andrew Whittle from Beach Guardian – Image Credit Susie Pennington
“At Beach Guardian, we aim to engage, educate and empower against plastic pollution, and encourage children to view waste as an exciting resource,” explains Andrew Whittle, who is a previous winner of Netflix’s Big Flower Fight for his sculpture crafted from marine plastics and ghost fishing gear.
“I can’t wait to oversee the construction of the plastic bottle greenhouse at the CGS Spring Flower Show and to share new ideas on gardening for the future with Cornwall’s horticultural community and local families.”
Eden Project Nursery will sell plants from the greenhouse, which will be lit by a pedal and solar energy system that provides off-grid power, courtesy of Blystra Arts’ Powered Up initiative and showgoers who take a turn in the saddle.
“In our new Grow Your Own allotment, Amelia Lake from The Real Food Garden will showcase sustainable gardening practices, demonstrate how to grow delicious veg and help us all feel healthier for being closer to nature,” adds Mark Holman.
Amelia Lake and Chloe Bines from The Real Food Garden – Image Credit Rosie Johns
“Roots & Shoots will provide a chilled space for the gardeners of tomorrow to create seed bombs, sow sunflowers, take a close look at creepy crawlies, and discover the many horticultural educational opportunities that exist in Cornwall, from apprenticeships at Eden to courses at Cornwall College.
“We look forward to welcoming thousands of showgoers of all ages to experience our event, engage in conversation and come together as a force for positive change.”
Cornwall Garden Society 2025 Spring Flower Show Tickets
Daily Tickets: £10 in advance or £12 on the gate (card payment preferred)
Weekend Tickets: £15 in advance or £18 on the gate on Saturday 5th April (card payment preferred)
Free admission for under 16s
Well-behaved dogs on short leads welcome
Click here to buy tickets, enter the Competitive Classes and find out more.
The Cornwall Garden Society 2025 Spring Flower Show is kindly sponsored
and supported by:
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