5,000 gardening enthusiasts flocked to the Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show this weekend for a joyful celebration of spring, as the show returned to the Royal Cornwall Showground with the timely theme of “Regeneration”.

The 2026 Show was officially opened by award-winning landscape architect Robert Myers. At the heart of this year’s show were a series of immersive Show Gardens exploring regeneration in its many forms – from ecological restoration and sustainable planting to the restorative power of gardens for people and communities. The Banham Cup for Best Show Garden was awarded to Alford & Sowter Landscapes, who partnered with Honeycombe Saunas to create an immersive spa garden inspired by the show’s theme of regeneration. Their design reimagined the garden as a restorative retreat, centred around a Nordic-style sauna and surrounded by naturalistic planting, a fire pit and calming outdoor spaces.

Speaking at the event, Show Director Mark Holman said: “This year’s theme of regeneration has resonated strongly with exhibitors and visitors alike. Gardens have an extraordinary ability to restore – whether that’s soil health, wildlife habitats or our own sense of calm. The creativity and craftsmanship on display this weekend have been exceptional, and it has been a pleasure to see so many people inspired to take new ideas home to their own gardens.”

Open to members and non-members alike and free to enter, the Competitive Classes schedule featured horticulture, floral art and photography, with a dedicated Novice Section encouraging first-time exhibitors. From camellias, magnolias and rhododendrons to daffodils, alpines, pot plants and artistic floral displays, exhibitors competed for an array of prestigious trophies, with national judges praising the exceptional quality of entries.

The popular Tipi Talks programme returned, curated in partnership with The Eden Project, and featured expert speakers including Tayshan Hayden-Smith, a community leader and environmental activist from North Kensington, and former host of the BBC series Your Garden Made Perfect, and Matthew Pottage of The Royal Parks and BBC Gardeners’ Question Time sharing seasonal advice, practical demonstrations and horticultural insight across the weekend.

Beyond the gardens and competitive exhibits, visitors browsed a wide range of specialist nurseries and trade stands offering plants, tools, art, books and garden features, alongside hands-on activities for children such as sowing sunflower seeds and creating paper gardens. Visitors also had the opportunity to meet Charles Williams of Caerhays Castle, who was showcasing his new limited-edition book on the world-famous magnolia collection. In it, he shares his extensive knowledge and passion for magnolias, celebrating their spectacular spring displays.

Martin Petherick, Chairman of Cornwall Garden Society, added: “The Cornwall Garden Society’s Spring Flower Show continues to be a cornerstone of Cornwall’s horticultural calendar. From innovative show gardens and sustainability initiatives to the outstanding quality of the competitive classes, this year’s event has demonstrated the depth of knowledge, passion and talent within our gardening community. Thank you to our sponsors, exhibitors, volunteers and visitors for making the 2026 show such a success, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back next year on April 3 rd and 4 th , when we’ll do it all again at the Royal Cornwall Showground!”

The Cornwall Garden Society Spring Flower Show will return to the Royal Cornwall Showground on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th April 2027.