Now's the moment to plan your planting for the season ahead, and making a trip to a well-run plant fair is one of the most worthwhile things you can do at this time of year. Here are five of our favourites.
CHESHIRE
April 20 Arley Hall Spring Plant Fair Arley Hall (above), Northwich, Cheshire 01565 777479 www.arleyhallandgardens.com Pick up some unusual plants, shrubs, trees, spring flowering bulbs and more from a range of specialist nurseries, and take advantage of demonstrations and advice from Arley's gardeners. 10am-4pm. Entry £1.50, redeemable against the normal price of garden entry
ESSEX April 26-27 Spring Plant Fair Weekend RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Chelmsford, Essex 0845 265 8071 www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall Run by Plant Heritage, this two-day tabletop plant fair sees some 40 of the region's top growers getting together, selling everything from herbs and exotics to seeds and fruit. There'll be children's activities on offer too. 10am-4pm. Entry £7.95-£8.75 (normal garden admission fee)
SOMERSET May 4 Yeo Valley Organic Garden Plant Fair Yeo Valley Organic Garden, Blagdon, Somerset www.yeovalley.co.uk As well as plants and seeds, there'll be a wealth of locally produced craft pieces for sale at this friendly fair in Yeo Valley Farm's 6.5-acre garden. The tea room does seriously good lunches. 11am-5pm. Entry free, no dogs
SHROPSHIRE May 4-5 Weston Park Spring Plant Fair Weston-under-Lizard, near Shifnal, Shropshire 01952 852100 www.weston-park.com Expert growers from some of Britain's best nurseries will gather for this Bank Holiday event, organised by Plant Hunters' Fairs. The house itself will be open from 1pm, and children will be kept busy at the Woodland Adventure Playground. 10am-5pm. Entry £2.50
SURREY
May 10 The Savill Garden Specialist Plant Fair The Royal Landscape (above), Egham, Surrey 01753 860222 www.theroyallandscape.co.uk Prestigious nurseries (many of whom are regulars at Chelsea and Hampton Court) will be offering a range of rare and unusual plants grown in small numbers. Don't miss the Savill Garden's delightful Spring Wood. 10am-5pm. Entry free
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