Wakehurst Place, home to the largest seed bank in the world, have announced the line-up of their exciting NEW ‘Bountiful Botanics’ Festival in September. Plant hunter Tom Hart Dyke, Garden Doctor Steve Bradley and John Guest – otherwise known as ‘The English Apple Man’ are amongst a panel of eclectic and world-renowned guest speakers who will be headlining at this fun-filled family extravaganza, celebrating nature’s bounty and the turn of the season, that’s taking place over the weekend of 26th and 27th September 2015.
Thomas Hart Dyke is an English horticulturist and plant hunter, who, following in the tradition of Edwardian British plant hunters (many of whom helped establish Wakehurst) risked life and limb to acquire a rare species of plant. (In his case he was kidnapped whilst hunting for rare orchids). Steve Bradley, who starred in the TV series ‘Garden Doctors’ is a well known author and resident horticulturist for local radio in Kent, Surrey, Sussex and Essex and a mine of information! John Guest, ‘The English Apple Man’ – will talk about ‘British apples’ and, appropriately for Kew at Wakehurst’s semi-centennial year, how they have changed in the last fifty years.
In addition to a full complement of talks taking place in the Elizabethan Mansion, visitors are invited to exclusive behind-the-scenes walks and tours around the Estate and Millennium Seed Bank. This is a real ‘get to know, get to grow’ Wakehurst event and guests are invited to participate in Autumn wild food demonstrations (taking place in the marquees on the croquet lawn) and, with experts on hand from Wakehurst to give gardening tips and growing advice, can learn how to take cuttings, plant bulbs, plan their vegetable beds, make compost, prepare seeds, forage for wild food and much, much more!
There will be plenty of activities to keep young explorers and children of all ages occupied, including tree climbing, pond dipping, bug hunts, storytelling, vegetable art and foraging tours – and a display of vintage Wakehurst machinery including working tractors. In addition to there will also be seasonal displays from local horticultural societies, specialist nurseries offering advice and skilled artisans displaying fencing, gate and iron work, as well as plants and delicious food for sale – and a few inevitable Autumn pumpkins! The whole event, will be rounded off with an hour long Gardeners Question & Answer session and the panel will include gardening journalists, guest speakers and Kew and Wakehurst representatives.
Don’t miss out on the fun! Talks and tours cost £5 each and children go FREE. In order to book your tickets for any of the talks and demonstrations and for further information about this event, please click here www.kew.org/bountiful