As April arrived with its multitude of weather changes, I published a blog all about Ascot Spring Garden Show and offered you the chance to win a pair of tickets to go along.

Well last Saturday, after very kindly being invited by the organisers, I got to take a visit and have a good nosey. The first garden show of 2018 and a brand new show too – what a glorious day it became! I appeared to pick the best day weather wise too – pure sun, music, yummy food and most importantly gorgeous show gardens and plant stalls!

Natalie aka Tulips and Terracotta and I arrived super excited at 11am, bought ourselves a drink and made a plan of action. An itinerary that turned out like this: Show Gardens, Plant stall browsing, Lunch, Young Gardeners of the Year gardens, David Domoney Talk, Coffee and Cake and then the Pippa Greenwood Talk.
We of course couldn’t leave without a bit of shopping, it’s a necessity – so we left the real fun until the end. Where we went mad at the Pepperpot Herb Stall – full of so much choice and all equally divine! It’s an underlying rule that I have to purchase a new mint plant every time too (I am the crazy mint lady after all), so a new Orange variety came home to No.27 with me, alongside more Fennel, Camomile, Thyme and Chives.

The show, within the stunning grounds of Ascot Racecourse, was perfectly formed for its first year and just the right level of busy for my liking – meaning you could properly look at all the gardens, their little details and ask the designers any questions – ultra important in my view!

I had the opportunity to speak to a number of the inspiring designers including the lovely Claudia de Yong –  as well as some of the brilliant and enthusiastic plant nursery owners. One of my particular favourite stalls, alongside Pepperpot Herbs was John Cullen Gardens.  A wonderful double act full of passion, who I instantly connected to as they specialise in plants specifically to feed the pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and moths.
Minus one or two special plants, I choose to only have flowers on my allotment that can benefit or potentially enhance my growing plans, so those loved by wildlife, pollinators and suitable for companion planting. Edible flowers get a look in every now and then too, Electric Daisies are my choice for this year.

Instead of writing everything about the day here, I decided to do a little video which will hopefully make you smile and maybe giggle – sharing all my thoughts on the show and the fact that I am the crazy mint lady. As well as my favourite photos from the gardens and my plot plans following my shopping at the event too.
Grab a cuppa, take a seat and click the thumbnail image below to have a watch.

I will definitely be attending again next year and can’t wait to see the show grow year on year. It is a wonderful unique addition to the gardening show calendar!