Gardening for the Future: Cornwall’s 2025 Spring Flower Show Unveils Exciting New Attractions

The Cornwall Garden Society’s 2025 Spring Flower Show is set to return on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th April at The Royal Cornwall Showground near Wadebridge, bringing a fresh focus on sustainable gardening, biodiversity, and climate-conscious horticulture. Sponsored by Cornish Lithium, St Austell Brewery, and St Eval, the two-day festival is a key highlight of the horticultural calendar, offering an engaging experience for gardening enthusiasts, families, and nature lovers alike.

Expert Talks and a Grand Opening

The event will be officially opened at 10am on Saturday 5th April by Sir Tim Smit KBE, co-founder of The Eden Project and the man behind the restoration of The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

A key feature of this year’s show is the Tipi Talks, curated in collaboration with Alasdair Moore from The Lost Gardens of Heligan, and supported by The Phoenix Tanner Trust through Cornwall Community Foundation. These discussions will explore the future of gardening with expert insights on climate change, biodiversity, and sustainable horticulture.

Speakers include:

• Geraint Richards, Head Forester for the Duchy of Cornwall and His Majesty the King, who will discuss trees and The Queen’s Green Canopy with Tony Kirkham, former Head of Arboretum at Royal Botanic Gardens Kew.
• Sheila Das, Head of Gardens and Parks at The National Trust, who will explore the importance of soil health.
• John Little, a leading expert in green-roof designs, and Benny Hawksbee, a wildlife advocate and Head Gardener at Eden Nature Garden in London, will discuss gardens and biodiversity.
• Tom Hoblyn, an award-winning designer at Chelsea Flower Show and Hampton Court, will share insights on adapting garden design to Cornwall’s changing climate.
• Clare Foster, Garden Editor at House & Garden magazine, will discuss her latest book, Pastoral Gardens, and the move towards wilder, eco-friendly landscapes.
• John Lanyon and Duana Pearson, renowned Cornish gardening experts, will offer local expertise.

“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,” says Mark Holman, Spring Flower Show Director.

Sustainability Hub and Plastic Bottle Greenhouse

This year’s show will feature a Sustainability Hub, a collaboration between Cornwall Garden Society, Andrew Whittle from Beach Guardian, and The Eden Project. The centrepiece will be a greenhouse constructed from repurposed plastic bottles, demonstrating how plants can be grown in a low-cost, low-carbon manner.

“At Beach Guardian, we aim to engage, educate and empower against plastic pollution, and encourage children to view waste as an exciting resource,” says Andrew Whittle, a previous winner of Netflix’s Big Flower Fight.

The Eden Project Nursery will sell plants from the greenhouse, which will be powered by pedal and solar energy through Blystra Arts’ Powered Up system—with visitors invited to take a turn in the saddle.

Grow Your Own and Roots & Shoots

For those interested in growing their own food, the new Grow Your Own allotment will be led by Amelia Lake from The Real Food Garden, who will demonstrate sustainable gardening techniques and how to grow fresh produce.

Meanwhile, Roots & Shoots will provide a dedicated space for young gardeners to create seed bombs, plant sunflowers, and explore the world of horticulture, including learning about apprenticeships at The Eden Project and 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,” adds Mark Holman.

Tickets and Entry Information

• Daily Tickets: £10 in advance or £12 on the gate (card payment preferred)
• Weekend Tickets: £15 in advance or £18 on the gate (Saturday 5th April)
• Free admission for under 16s
• Well-behaved dogs on short leads welcome

For more information, tickets, or to enter the Competitive Classes, visit Cornwall Garden Society’s website.

Photo: Geraint Richards – Image Credit Charles Sainsbury-Plaice

Photo: Benny Hawksbee – Image Credit Katy Watson

Photo: Tom Hoblyn – Image Credit Tom Hoblyn

Photo: Clare Foster – Image Credit Andrew Montgomery

Photo: Andrew Whittle from Beach Guardian – Image Credit Susie Pennington

Photo: Amelia Lake and Chloe Bines from The Real Food Garden – Image Credit Rosie Johns