Celebrate spring as the RHS Flower Show returns to Cardiff

A new community competition, emphasis on welfare and inspiration for inexpensive gardens – RHS Flower Show Cardiff is the perfect way to start your gardening year.

RHS Flower Show Cardiff kicks off the first of the major flower shows happening all around the UK.

Set in Bute Park in the heart of Cardiff city center, the show is going to take place from 12 April 2019 – 14 April 2019. It celebrates the best of springtime and encourages visitors to productively use their outdoor spaces.

Along with stunning gardens, endless shopping, and a plant-packed Floral Marquee, the show in Cardiff will demonstrate how spending time outdoors can benefit mental and physical health and is being celebrated across all of the RHS shows in 2019. The RHS Flower Show Cardiff is leading the charge with a Garden Feature from the National Botanic Garden of Wales.

The Garden Feature, called Gardd Lles, includes components from the government-supported campaign, ‘Growing the Future’. This five-year project is to champion Welsh horticulture and the benefits that plants have for people, wildlife and the environment.

Every year, the flower show features a master grower. R. & A. Scamp Quality Daffodils have been named as 2019’s Master Grower in appreciation of the nurseries accomplishments.

“We’re not a big nursery compared to some bulb growers,” Ron Scamp, owner of family-run Scamp Quality Daffodils since 1991, said. “We grow 10-12 acres. It’s about specialist flowers, not cut-flower production. We are able to keep daffodils that wouldn’t otherwise be seen.”

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Scamp spent years growing different varieties of daffodils in his garden and greenhouse and had accumulated a collection of 800 different types by the time he launched Scamp’s Bulbs.

The multi gold-medal winning daffodil expert will create a show-stopping display featuring hundreds of assortments of daffodils and a woodland walk feature for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their nursery life.

Now, nearly 30 years later, the nursery has extended significantly and offers a collection of more than 2,400 cultivars. Scamp’s son, Adrian, joined the company in 2007 and continues to grow and develop the nurseries collection.

“We’re deeply honored to be a Master Grower,” said Scamp.“Our display will feature all 13 classifications of daffodil, including trumpet, large-cupped and double.”

Following on from last year’s immensely popular Floristry Bench, this year the show will welcome the arrival of a new marquee devoted to the art of floristry. It is the perfect place to learn something new from the demos and workshops.

During the show, a range of experts and celebs will be joining and giving talks. They’ll be in the Talks Theatre, ready to share their gardening tips and tricks to help you achieve the garden of your dreams.

Celebrity garden designer, James Alexander-Sinclair, is going to be kicking off the weekend in style as he hosts an array of talks in the theatre.

“I’ll be hosting a Question Time session and talking to designers, nursery folk and generally getting people into the springtime groove,” he said. “Cardiff is always exciting as we’re lining up at the beginning of show season.”

BBC Radio 2’s resident allotment expert, Terry Walton will be hosting the talks on Saturday.

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“One of the beauties of going to shows like RHS Cardiff is that you get to go along and meet people,” said Walton. “It’s great when you get people that ask simple questions – ones that people are often too afraid to ask – as they’re often of the most benefit.”

CBeebies star, Rebecca Keatley will round up the weekend by hosting a range of family-friendly talks on Sunday.

“I always used to play outside as a child, but even if you live in a city or town you can find outside spaces for children to play in and enjoy,” said Keatley. “There’s also lots of fun to be had with growing seeds and plants indoors.”

This year will also showcase inspiring designs in the gardens at RHS Flower Show Cardiff. The popular Regeneration Gardens, which were first launched at the show in 2018, are making a grand return.

Brent Purtell’s design, The Xardin Urban Gallery is also the one to look out for, which explores how local artists can display their work in an urban park.

It wouldn’t be RHS Flower Show Cardiff without the hugely popular wheelbarrow competition. Local schools go head to head to create distinctive designs, all within the space of a wheelbarrow.

Another attraction to look out for is the wicker-framed structure at the show depicting one of Caerphilly Castle’s most famous residents, the Green Lady of Caerphilly.

Legend says that the Green Lady is the ghost of Alice de la Marche, who was the wife of the Earl Gilbert de Clare and lived in the castle hundreds of years ago. It’s thought that she died of heartbreak after her husband came to know about her secret lover, Gruffudd the Fair, and had him killed. Rumour has it that the Green Lady still haunts the castle walls to this day.

This eye-catching garden feature has been designed by Phil Turner and will be brought to life by the students of Bridgend College.

A new addition for 2019 is a Blossoming Beds competition. RHS Flower Show in Cardiff is looking for community groups with a desire for plants and an eye for gorgeous blooms to take part.

Why not bring out the creative and unique designs to life at Cardiff? Applications for the 2019 show are still open.

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Haven’t got your tickets yet? Grab yours and welcome the springtime by spending some time soaking yourself in sun and nature!