Rare Plant Fair to celebrate 25th anniversary with a spring open garden for Cobalt
The 2019 programme of Rare Plant Fairs, marking 25 years of shows, is in full swing. On Sunday 14 April, the stunning private gardens of The Old Rectory, Quenington near Cirencester will be opened as part of the programme from 11.00am to 4.00pm. A proportion of the proceeds of the day will be donated to Cobalt, a local medical charity helping people affected by cancer, dementia and other conditions.
As the weather warms up, we start to fall in love with our gardens again and whatever green space we have available, the range and breadth of plants to choose from can be a little daunting. Often we want something a little bit different yet many specialist growers and nurseries are in remote locations or just not open regularly or at all to the public. The Rare Plant Fair at Quenington is an opportunity to meet well-known and knowledgeable nurserymen and get your hands on a variety of unusual and sought after plants. At Quenington you will be able to make a day of it with the chance to wander beautiful gardens with unique character and history stretching back over eighty years.
Kirsty Bradbury, Fundraising Engagement Officer, Cobalt said, “It’s wonderful of Lucy and David Abel-Smith to open their beautiful grounds and welcome visitors in support of Cobalt. It’s a rare opportunity to visit these fantastic gardens, buy unusual plants and get first–hand advice from growers about the plants they sell.”
The Old Rectory garden has been developed over eighty years and is run on organic lines with much of the planting created by the late Esme Bradburne, a former head gardener and founder member of the Soil Association. There are herbaceous borders, mature trees, pool and bog gardens, as well as the large vegetable garden. The garden contains a permanent sculpture display. The grounds are set between a tranquil mill race and the River Coln adjoined by bridges and are the venue for the Fresh Air Sculpture Show.
Amongst the attendees at Quenington will be a new exhibitor, Tale Valley Nursery from Devon who have been multiple Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gold medallists and in 2017 were selected as RHS Master Grower. They specialise in alpines and in woodland plants, and hold Plant Heritage National Collections of Rhodohypoxsis, x Rhodoxis, and dwarf and miniature standard bearded Iris. There will also be exhibitors offering garden-related products and services, such as plant supports, garden tools and implements and garden sculpture.
Admission will be £5 per adult with free entry for under 16’s and includes the Fair and garden (entrance payment by cash or cheque please). Assistance dogs only. Homemade refreshments will be available and the majority of the site is accessible for wheelchair users.
For more information on this and other events, go to Cobalt Events
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