A Diary of Summer Events with the RHS

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) is welcoming guests to a huge range of exciting talks and events at its four gardens this summer – RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Essex, RHS Garden Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire and RHS Garden Rosemoor in Devon.

Highlights will include plenty of summer evenings with live entertainment, a striking Rose Festival and special events to mark the anniversary of Enid Blyton’s first ‘Famous Five’ book. Please see below for just a few. For more detail or images see www.rhs.org.uk/gardens or contact the press office at alicemcdermott@rhs.org.uk.

June

1-4 June: Family Gardening Show, RHS Garden Wisley
The whole family can enjoy this fantastic event which will see fascinating talks, workshops and a special In The Night Garden zone, hosting plenty of children’s activities. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

3-4 June: Beekeeping Weekend, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Visitors are invited to join the Harrogate and Ripon Beekeepers Association for a weekend of live bee demonstrations, activities and insight into bees and beekeeping. It’s going to bee a hive of activity! www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

8 June: NGS Fundraising Afternoon Tea with Frances Tophill, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Join the National Gardening Scheme and popular TV gardener Frances Tophill for an afternoon of indulgence at RHS Garden Rosemoor as they host this exclusive afternoon tea event. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

10-11 June: Bonsai Weekend, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
With beautiful displays aplenty, The Bonsai Group will be onsite to offer first hand advice and specialist demonstrations on these special trees. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

17-18 June: Plant Society Show, RHS Garden Wisley
A chance to chat to the experts for plant advice while enjoying lovely displays of colourful and unusual plants from specialist societies. There will also be plant care demonstrations and the opportunity to purchase plants and seeds which aren’t widely available. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

17 June-30 July: Rose Festival, RHS Garden Rosemoor
A glorious celebration of the much-loved rose. As well as an historical Rose Trail through the garden, flower arranging demonstrations and floral-themed craft and food markets with over 40 stalls, the Garden Kitchen will also be serving up a series of delectable rose-infused treats to make your taste buds blush. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

17-18 June: Rose Weekend, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Discover RHS Garden Hyde Hall in full bloom this weekend which offers a series of walks and talks showcasing the beautiful Rose Garden. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

18 June: Father’s Day, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Celebrate Father’s Day this year with an adventurous mini-orienteering course in the gardens to get dad’s heart pumping. Why not bring the family and discover a different way to explore the garden? www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

23-25 June: Harlow Carr Flower Show, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
This three-day floral extravaganza will see more than 35 specialist nurseries and garden trade stands as well as a full programme of talks and demonstrations. Highlights include the summer Streamside spectacle of Harlow Carr’s famous dolly-mixture candelabra primulas. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

24 June-30 July: Surrey Sculpture Society Exhibition, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Discover the range of creations showcasing a huge variety of materials and styles from the Surrey Sculpture Society as it returns to the gardens for this delightful exhibition. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

29 June: Comedy of Errors Outdoor Theatre, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Plough Arts Centre & Illyria Theatre presents William Shakespeare’s ‘Comedy of Errors’ in this exciting outdoor theatre display set against the backdrop of the Garden. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

July

1 July: Jazz Evening, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Back by popular demand, the Sunshine Kings return for an evening of jazz as visitors sit back, relax and enjoy as they take in the stunning views of the garden. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

1-31 July: Alison Catchlove Sculpture Exhibition, RHS Garden Wisley
An exhibition of Alison’s quirky nature-inspired sculptures will be on display around the garden throughout the month. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

July Late Night Openings, RHS Garden Hyde Hall, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, RHS Garden Rosemoor; dates, activities and times vary
Visitors have the rare opportunity to stroll around the gardens on a peaceful summer’s evening. There will also be barbecues and live music.

9, 16, 23 & 30 July: Summer Sundays, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
The perfect accompaniment to the summer sunshine, visitors can listen to an afternoon of live music in the Garden on Sundays. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

14-15 July: Summer Nights Film Screening, RHS Garden Wisley
A chance to experience your favourite films in the beautiful surroundings of RHS Garden Wisley with classics Greece and Top Gun. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

15-16 July: Global Growth Vegetable Garden Opening Weekend, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Join RHS Garden Hyde Hall to celebrate the opening of their major new garden development. Designed by Lady Xa Tollemache, the garden will harvest fruit and vegetables from around the world. There will be a variety of talks and tours, cooking demonstrations, and tastings taking place and little visitors can also discover salad dressing making. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

15-16 July: Botanics Weekend, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
The RHS Plant Centre and Gift Shop will reveal the many ways we can use plants and botanics in our everyday lives through a collection of demonstrations and talks. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

15-16 July: ArtsFest, RHS Garden Wisley
This event celebrates the summer with music, dance, magic, craft and performances as it showcases the beautiful Garden in the summer. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

22 July: Outdoor Cinema Evening – Bridesmaids, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Partnering with Essex Outdoor Cinema, RHS Garden Hyde Hall will be screening this popular film for one evening only. Food and drink will also be available to buy or guests are welcome to bring their own picnic. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

22 July-3 Sep: Enid Blyton ‘Famous Five’ on a garden adventure, all gardens; dates, activities and times vary
2017 celebrates 75 years since Enid Blyton’s very first Famous Five book, ‘Five On A Treasure Island’, was published. To mark the occasion the RHS has teamed up with Enid Blyton Entertainment and Hodder Children’s Books to offer a range of events and activities this summer, from themed crafts to garden games and storytelling.

22-23 July: Vintage Weekend, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Explore all things vintage at this popular weekend organised by Devon County Antiques Fairs which will see an eclectic selection of quality antiques and collectables, as well as vintage vehicles, horticultural and farm machinery on display. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

August

3-6 Aug: Hyde Hall Flower Show, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
A beautiful presentation of specialist nurseries, floral displays and trade stands, including many RHS Chelsea Flower Show medal winners. There will be a shopping emporium of quality plants, a floral art marquee, an artist’s pavilion, a variety of food and drink plus live music – this show is not to be missed! www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

5-6 Aug: Orchid Weekend, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Find out all about these magnificent plants with the Harrogate Orchid Society. The weekend will see large displays of orchids, demonstrations and advice for growing them at home. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

6, 13, 20 & 27 Aug: Summer Sundays, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
From 9 July, visitors can listen to live music in the garden on a Sunday afternoon as the perfect accompaniment to the summer sunshine. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

8 Aug: The Wind in the Willows Outdoor Theatre, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Bring the whole family to enjoy an outdoor performance of the popular tale of The Wind in the Willows. Booking information can be found at www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

12 Aug: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Theatre Evening, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
The Pantaloons are back to give Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream a fresh twist. Guests can experience this new exciting performance as the sun sets over the gardens. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

12-13 Aug: Carnivorous Plant Weekend, RHS Garden Harlow Carr
Discover all there is to know about carnivorous plants with this weekend of displays and advice. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr

13 Aug: Local Produce Show, RHS Garden Rosemoor
Join the Garden and Great Torrington Horticultural Society for a family fun weekend at their very own local Produce Show. With a panel of experts judging the categories for both adults and children, it’s a great way to end National Allotment Week (7-13 Aug). www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

17 Aug: Summer Shopping Evening, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
A chance to browse the RHS Shop and Plant Centre’s summer sale offering up to 50% off and a chilled glass of prosecco for the early birds. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

18-20 Aug: Rosemoor Flower Show, RHS Garden Rosemoor
The first official RHS Flower Show in the South West will see over 20 nurseries from across the country plus trade stands, specialist talks and advice. With a Country Fair theme, there will also be al-fresco catering and inspirational floral displays. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

19 Aug-24 Sep: Surrey Sculpture Society Trail, RHS Garden Wisley
Visitors can take a late summer wander around Wisley with this unique art experience featuring over 60 sculptures by some of the South East’s finest artists. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

20 Aug: Classic Car Day, RHS Garden Hyde Hall
Welcoming an array of local Classic and Sports Car Clubs, this event will see Jaguar Cars, Morgans, Porsches and Austin 7’s come together for car lovers and families alike. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/hyde-hall

31 Aug: Falconry Display with North Devon Falconry Centre, RHS Garden Rosemoor
An opportunity for families to get to know all about these magnificent birds of prey as they swoop above the crowds. www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/rosemoor

If you’re looking to spruce up your own garden with cantilever parasols, garden furniture or gazebos, head over to the Garden Furniture Centre where you’ll find reasonably priced high quality furniture for your garden.