After a two-year absence, the show returned with an exciting new line-up and gardens galore
From gorgeous gardens and fabulous flowers to fascinating talks and tempting food and drink, there was so much to see at this year’s RHS Malvern Spring Festival. Here’s our pick of the highlights from the 2022 festival:
Malvern Floral Marquee
There were plenty of top-quality plants on offer from 56 nurseries in the Floral Marquee. Whether visitors were looking for inspiration on how to beautify spring borders, find a rare gem for their veg plot or add splashes of colour with hanging baskets - there really was something for everyone.
Making their Malvern debuts were G&K Carnations, Harriet’s Plants, Lincolnshire Pond Plants and Ottershaw Nursery. Also in attendance were this year’s Master Grower, Pheasant Acre Plants, which launched its new bulb subscription service at the festival.
The Vitamin G Garden
Demonstrating the benefits of a dose of Vitamin G, this RHS Feature Garden was designed by Alan Williams in association with BBC Radio 2’s Jo Whiley. The pair liaised with Professor Alistair Griffiths and Dr Lauriane Chalmin-Pui of the RHS Science team to bring to life the latest research illustrating how gardens and green spaces benefit our mental and physical health.
Read more about the Vitamin G Garden
Talks and demonstrations
James Alexander-Sinclair hosted a jam-packed timetable at the Festival Theatre with guests including Monty Don OBE and Arit Anderson. In the Bloom Theatre Jonathan Moseley held daily demonstrations, alongside local florists showcasing their skills. Elsewhere in the Bloom area visitors could find a celebration of sustainable florals.
Elsewhere visitors discovered Nurture, where they explored how horticulture can positively affect mental, physical and social wellbeing, and listened in to talks at the area’s theatre, hosted by podcaster Ellen Mary.
Nourish was the place to go for a mouth-watering choice of food and drink, including a fabulous Vintage Tea Room with a street party vibe. In the Nourish Theatre, Mark Diacono hosted a full line-up of celebrity chefs.
See who spoke at the 2022 show
Grow area
The go-to place for expert tips and advice from the national specialist plant societies. The vegetable allotment garden was bursting with grow-your-own inspiration.
Show Gardens
Illustrating aspirational and achievable gardening, the Show Gardens had a wealth of ideas about hard landscaping, sustainable gardening and appealing plant combinations.
Visitors could explore Silver Gilt medal winner, A Peaceful Escape, with its clever use of dividing walls, or find a contemplative space in the Silver medal-winning Abigail’s Footsteps.
Awarded Silver Gilt medals, The Cancer Research UK Legacy Garden brought a joyful mix of colourful shrubs and perennials, while The Hide Garden inspired gardeners to celebrate nature. Bronze medal-winning The Longcroft Press brought together mature fruit trees and wildflowers.
New this year were Affordable Gardens, created with a strict budget and incorporating plants available in the Floral Marquee – perfect for ideas to take-home. Houseplant enthusiasts could take a walk-through the immersive Welcome to the Jungle Feature Garden.
Platinum Jubilee Garden
Visitors to RHS Malvern Spring Festival could round-up their experience with a visit the new permanent garden commissioned in the showground to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and filled with some of Her Majesty’s favourite plants as well as those that are named after her.
Explore the gardens
