The Garden Event
On 20th & 21st June 2009 - West Dean Gardens. The West Dean Garden Event, now entering its fourteenth year, is a recognised garden and plant specialist event. Set within the stunning West Dean Gardens, this event promises to be a great day out.
5 Jun 2009 | 1 min read
Over 60 exhibitors will be providing a variety of specialist plants and shrubs, roses, herbs, vegetables and plant seedlings, as well as a selection of garden tools, furniture, ornaments, sculptures and photography. There will also be several specialists from around the country offering giving expert advice on plants, shrubs and garden design, plus gardening demonstrations and food and drink stalls, including a spit roast.
Amongst the exhibitors are nurserymen, Rob and Rosie Hardy who have owned and run Hardy's Cottage Garden Plants for over twenty one years. The Hardys will be on hand to share their expertise and knowledge, as well as bringing with them a new variety of scabious perennial (due to be launched at this year's Chelsea Flower Show). This new form, Africana Jocelyn is a lovely clear pink with blooms which last all summer; an ideal plant for any sunny border.
Rather different exhibitors are the Fox Hollow Animal Sanctuary, a rescue service for unwanted pets, who will be fund-raising for the Sanctuary by selling plants. They will also bring with them some of their rescued animals, which include pure-bred poultry, waterfowl, rabbits, miniature pigs, pygmy goats and ponies for all to see and gain an insight into the Sanctuary's good work.
For anyone interested in vintage mowers some of the 600 members of the Old Lawnmowers Club are loaning their lawnmowers to provide a fabulous display of motor mowers and pony mowers along with Ransomes, Greens, Shanks, JP's, Qulcasts and Atto, to name but a few, some dating as far back as 1880. To add to the spectacle there will be mower demonstrations throughout the weekend.
Included in the event entry is full access to the Gardens, Parkland, Arboretum and Art and Memory, an exhibition of 53 works on memorial themes in collaboration with The Memorial Arts Charity. The works featured have been created by a selected number of Britain's most accomplished letter-carvers and memorial artists. The works range from the traditional to the contemporary and the pieces include lettered standing stones, circular seats, lettered steps, benches, wall plaques, and a fountain.
Admission to the Garden Event is £7.25 for adults plus concessions. The event is open between 10.30am and 5pm. www.westdean.org.uk