The 48 best UK gardening events to book for summer 2021
After more than a year of living online, many of us are keen to get out and spend some time in other people’s gardens, to wander around garden shows and festivals, to re-engage with the horticultural world beyond our own (now extremely well tended) borders.
Although it was expected that coronavirus restrictions would be lifted on June 21, the government has announced a four-week extension. However, outdoor events are relatively unaffected by this; many have already been running successfully with Covid-safe precautions in place.
Things are different from previous years, of course, and the main message this year is to plan ahead. No spontaneity. Many events and open days will have strict number limits, so you should book in advance wherever you can. Don’t forget that in many cases you will need to pre-arrange food, too.
Individual events will have their own rules and protocols, and their website is your best bet for finding out what these might be. Possible last-minute changes must be factored into your plans. If you aren’t given a time slot, then consider going at first opening or late afternoon in order to avoid crowds and queues.
Grow your own and foraging workshops
August 9-15
Events at allotments throughout the country, plus a virtual allotment show. nsalg.org.uk
August 28-30
Chilli Festival, Nr Stevenage
A celebration of chillies at Benington Lordship Gardens. Chilli stalls, plants for sale, music and a hot-chilli-eating competition.
September 18-19
Scottish Wild Food Festival, Glasgow
A feast of foraging, wild cocktail masterclasses and bushcraft.
October 21
Look out for events all over the country where you can celebrate orchards old and new, and taste local apple varieties.
Plant fairs, shows and festivals
July 5-11
RHS Hampton Court Palace Garden Festival, London
Show gardens, talks and demonstrations, music and food – and lots of plants to buy.
June 23-25
Midsummer Garden Life Festival, Worcestershire
A celebration of the garden and midsummer at the Three Counties Showground, Malvern.
August 4-8
Flower Show, RHS Hyde Hall, Essex
Talks, demonstrations and a plant fair in the beautiful 58-acre gardens.
June 25-27
Rose Weekend, RHS Rosemoor, Devon
Rosemoor’s Rose Festival runs June 5-July 18, but its highlight is this weekend, with a floral-themed craft fair and guided walks around the rose gardens featuring over 2,000 roses of over 200 varieties.
June 25-27
Blenheim Palace Flower Show, Oxfordshire
More than 300 exhibitors, an outdoor plant village, talks, demonstrations, food and drink in a beautiful, historic setting.
July 1-4
Charleston Festival of the Garden, Firle, East Sussex
Talks, performances and tours set in a beautiful walled garden, once home to Bloomsbury Group artists Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant. Featuring gardeners including Charles Dowding, Nigel Dunnett and Dan Pearson, musicians such as Sam Lee and nature writers including Helen MacDonald and Charlie Gilmour. Follow on Twitter and Instagram @CharlestonTrust for updates.
July 21-25
RHS Flower Show Tatton Park, Cheshire
Show gardens, talks and demonstrations, family fun and plants for sale.
August 13-15
RHS Garden Rosemoor Flower Show, Devon
Floral displays, plants and sundries for sale, food and drink, talks and live music.
August 26-29
Gardeners World Live Birmingham NEC
Join Monty Don, Adam Frost and a host of familiar gardening experts for informative talks, demonstrations, a food market, show gardens and lots of plant stalls.
September 17-19
Harrogate Flower Show, North Yorkshire
Food, plants, gardens and shopping in the grounds of Newby Hall.
September 21-26
RHS Chelsea Flower Show, London
Being held in September for the first time ever, Chelsea will nevertheless bring its usual mix of cutting-edge horticultural design and garden glamour.
September 24-26
Specialist nurseries, giant veg, a harvest pavilion and lots of autumnal talks.
October 8-10
Flower Festival, Strawberry Hill House and Garden, Twickenham
A festival of floral designs in this historic villa (above), celebrating native British flowers and plants.
Special open gardens
July 6
Scampston Walled Garden, North Yorkshire
View this exciting modern garden (above), designed by Piet Oudolf. Entry price includes a talk, tour and Q&A session with the head gardener.
June 29, July 28 & August 26
The Charterhouse Open Gardens Evening, London
Relax and wander around the gardens in the evening. Barbecue, bar and music from students of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Tickets £10.
July 21-23
Perch Hill Open Days, East Sussex
Visit Sarah Raven’s gardens (also open August 4-6 and Sept 8-10), and see her cutting patch and vegetable gardens as well as new plants and plant combinations. Lunches and teas can be booked ahead. £15 (free for children under 14).
August 15
Bramblewood Cottage, South Yorkshire
The hillside garden of renowned garden designer Nigel Dunnett, based on strong ecological and sustainable principles with large areas of naturalistic perennial planting.
September 5
Old Rectory, Quinton, Northamptonshire
A chance to visit this contemporary three-acre rectory garden designed by multi award-winning designer Anoushka Feiler.
Specialist plant events
July 10-11
National Sweet Pea Show, RHS Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire
Top UK growers showcase hundreds of beautiful scented sweet peas.
July 17-18
National Collection of Agapanthus, viewing and plant sales, Hampshire
See a national collection of agapanthus at the height of its flowering time.
July 17-18
British Cactus & Succulent Society Show, RHS Hyde Hall, Essex
Displays of rare cacti, UK-grown plants for sale and advice from the experts.
July 23-24
North of England Orchid Society Annual Show, Barton, Lancashire
Orchids grown by members of several north of England orchid societies; buy plants and talk to the experts.
July 24-25
Ferns & Carnivorous Plants Show, Wisley, Surrey
Displays, talks, expert advice and plants for sale.
July 25
National Collection of Penstemon, Northamptonshire
Plants at their height and for sale.
August 7-8
National Collection of Roscoea, Hampshire
Plants at their best for sale.
September 4-5
National Collection of Hedychium Open Day, West Sussex
See hardy gingers in flower, quiz experts and buy plants.
September 12
South Staffs Bonsai Society, Birmingham Botanical Gardens
See displays of bonsai and talk to the experts.
October 2-3
Heuchera, Heucherella & Tiarella, Cheshire
Open day and plant sale; specialist nursery open day.
October 9-23
Annual Nerine Festival, Guernsey
View and buy nerines.
Wildlife and nature events
July 4
Plantlife hosts a Meadows Movie Morning on its YouTube channel. Post pictures of your own meadow or flowering lawn with the hashtag #National MeadowsDay.
July 1-September 30
The Hive, every Wednesday, Bolton
A series of gardens adorned with natural play equipment designed to encourage under-7s to make natural connections through creative play. Mud kitchen, colourful sensory garden, willow domes and a water- play installation.
July 10-18
Plantlife is calculating the National Nectar Index, to show how lawns across Britain are helping to feed pollinators. If you took part in No Mow May or Leave it June – and left your lawn un-mowed – you can add your personal nectar score to the count.
July 16-August 8
Spend 15 minutes in your garden recording any butterflies and moths you see and report back to the Big Butterfly Hunt.
Online events
September 4-12
Mary Berry and the National Garden Scheme urge you to throw a garden party to raise money for charity. Hold a coffee morning, a tea, a candlelit prosecco evening or any gathering you fancy.
June 14-july 12
A virtual event, this will take the form of a 90-minute tour of London’s hidden green spaces. Tickets are £6 and proceeds support the London Gardens Trust.
July 10
Tips on making the most of a small garden, with Dobbies’ horticultural director Marcus Eyles.
October 24-30
RHS Lily Group Online Bulb Auction
Send in your bulbs or bid on those from other members.
Art, spectacle and sculpture gardens
June 27
Rare Plant Fair at Sculpture by the Lakes, Dorset
Plant shopping and outdoor sculptures combined in one event (above).
Until July 11
Showborough House Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, Gloucestershire
An affordable art show in the grounds of a beautiful 1½ acre garden.
Until September 19
Secret World of Plants, Kew Gardens, London
Explore the hidden secrets of the world of plants with art installations around the gardens, including Tree Listening by Alex Metcalf, sound domes which allow you to listen to the inner workings of four majestic oaks.
Until September 26
Constance Spry and the Fashion for Flowers, London
Exhibition on the influential floral designer, co-curated by royal florist Shane Connolly.
Until September 26
Tony Cragg at Houghton Hall, Norfolk
Turner Prize-winning artist Tony Cragg’s sinuous sculptures are in the gardens all summer.
Until September 30
All Our Future Sorrows, Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Rachel Chesney has created a digital map of bee populations at YSP and visitors are invited to help populate it from their bee sightings. Works by Damien Hirst and Joana Vasconcelos are also on display.
September 4-5
Art In The Gardens, Sheffield
Outdoor sculpture on the lawns and arts and crafts exhibitors.