AN army of volunteers has descended upon the county’s prestigious Royal Cornwall Showground in Wadebridge to transform its exhibition halls for the Cornwall Garden Society’s 2019 Spring Flower Show.

Sponsored by Atkins Ferrie Wealth Management, this highlight of the horticultural year will be staged there on Saturday, April 6, and Sunday, April 7, for the very first time.

Carpenters, drapers, designers, horticultural experts and the show committee are all working together to create an oasis of spring that will wow the crowds with its kaleidoscopic colour and celebrate the season on an unprecedented scale.

The competitive classes are at the heart of the show. With more than 150 categories for ornamental trees and shrubs; magnolias, camellias, rhododendrons, daffodils and pot plants/alpines, as well as floral art, photography and classes for young people, there is something for everyone from experienced head gardener to enthusiastic amateur alike.

“The excitement is building as our wonderful team of volunteers rise to the challenge of creating a worthy showcase for the county’s best blooms and fabulous flora,” said show director, Dickie Trant.

“Towards the end of the week, we will welcome the arrival of 130 high-quality nurseries and garden-related trade stands to the Plant Pavilion and Horticultural Heaven; a cornucopia of Cornish food and drink providers, and some of the county’s finest creatives to our Artisan Area to create a weekend of fun and flowers for family and friends.”

A dedicated children’s activity area, run by St Austell-based social enterprise, Perennial Harvest, will offer all sorts of fun things to do from creating a bow and arrow out of willow, to decorating plant pots and sowing seeds, for a modest charge to cover costs. Children can also make an ornamental hedgehog with Cornwall Wildlife Trust; encounter bats; meet moths with Cornwall Butterfly Conservation as well as some rather more unusual animals with the reptiles and raptor roadshow.

“From hardy exotics, herbaceous perennials and home grown edibles to master growers and national collections from the south west and beyond, the Cornwall Garden Society’s 2019 Spring Flower Show will offer quality, choice and a great deal to tempt you,” said the show’s trade coordinator, Sue Newton.

“Whether you have a passion for plants, are inspired by botanical art, seek a decorative item for your garden or are hunting down that perfect shed, we look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends to Cornwall’s celebration of spring.”

Discounted memberships for the Cornwall Garden Society will be available from the CGS Hub.

To book advance tickets for the Cornwall Garden Society 2019 Spring Flower Show, visit www.crbo.co.uk/springshow or telephone the Cornish Riviera Box Office on 01726 879500.

General tickets cost £10 in advance or £11 on the gate. CGS member tickets cost £8 in advance or £9 on the gate. Under 16s are free. The ticket price includes free parking. Well-behaved dogs on leads are welcome, as are card payments on the gate.