BUILD of the iconic show gardens of RHS Malvern Spring Festival began yesterday at the Three Counties Showground. In celebration of National Gardening Week over 12 show gardeners took up tools and turf to begin the extensive process of bringing their designs to life. Each gardener hopes to take home the prestigious and highly coveted RHS accolades as the show unfolds from May 5 to 8.

Ken Nottage, CEO of Three Counties, said: “Yesterday was a fantastic day marking the very beginning of RHS Malvern Spring Festival. It is the day when designs begin to transform plans to real gardens and the whole showground is buzzing with excitement. There is a real community amongst our show gardeners and the support they offer one another throughout the process is invaluable, something we are deeply proud to have here at RHS Malvern. This year’s show gardens will be a real spectacle with some incredible, diverse and creative talent showcasing their skills. We cannot wait to see this area of the show come to life over the coming weeks.”

Occupying a larger space at the showground than ever before, the Show Gardens are located at the heart of the Festival in the Festival Green supported by Worcester, Bosch Group. RHS Malvern Spring Festival has a long-standing reputation as a platform for the very best garden design talent. Last year’s event saw a record number of RHS Gold medals awarded.

The breaking of ground at RHS Malvern coincides with National Gardening Week, an RHS initiative launched in 2011. National Gardening Week has since grown into the nations biggest celebration of gardening. Thousands of people, gardens, charities, culture and heritage organisations support the annual event which promises an inspirational feast of horticultural talent, this year’s Show Gardens include:

RHS Malvern Spring Festival takes place from Thursday 5 May until Sunday 8 May 2016. Tickets are now on sale. For more information on ticket prices, please call 01684 584900 or visit www.rhsmalvern.co.uk