Three Counties Showground in Malvern is set to transform into a blaze of autumnal colour when the Malvern Autumn Show returns from 22 – 24 September 2023. With an outstanding reputation as the UK’s biggest harvest season celebration, this year’s Show will not disappoint.
One of the defining features of the Malvern Autumn Show is the spectacular CANNA UK Giant Vegetables Championships, which is set to return again this year with more astounding oversized fruit, vegetables and legumes. Eleven new Guinness World Records were set at last year’s Show, including the heaviest aubergine (3.362kg by Peter Glazebrook from Nottinghamshire) and the longest leek (1.432m by Derek Hulme from Stoke-on-Trent). Once again, expert growers will battle it out at this year’s show in this globally recognised competition.
Drawing the esteemed RHS Flower Show season to a close for another year, the RHS Flower Show at the Malvern Autumn Show promises an abundant display of autumnal colour for visitors to enjoy. This year, a bumper selection of over 40 of the UK’s leading and RHS medal-winning nurseries will proudly display the fruits of their labour, whilst competing for recognition from the eager eyes of the RHS judges. The Floral Marquee will be filled to the brim with top quality plants, flowers and bulbs to admire or purchase. Expert growers will be on hand to offer inspiration and advice for planting your own seasonal colour at home.
The Plant and Bulb Markets will offer a wide range of excellent spring flowering bulbs to plant ahead, ready to enjoy next year, as well as rich Autumn perennials to bring instant colour to outdoor spaces, plus an interesting variety of shrubs and trees. The free Plant Creche service will be a handy place to leave purchases while exploring the rest of the show, and the free Porter Service will transport plants, flowers and trees back to the car without visitors even breaking a sweat.
New to this year’s show, Organic Gardener from Sidmouth, Devon, will feature in the Plant and Bulb Markets offering a selection of organic, eco-friendly plants, bulbs and seeds to purchase – all grown without the use of pesticides in an environmentally-conscious way.
Marit Bakker, from Organic Gardener, explains: “Conventional flower growing heavily relies on pesticides, chemical fertilizers and heating. Unbeknownst to most consumers, these practices have significant negative impacts on nature.
“Organic flower bulbs adhere to natural principles and practices instead. They are grown without the use of harmful pesticides, relying on natural fertilizers. The positive effects are far-reaching; benefiting pollinators and encouraging biodiversity, as well as contributing to soil health.
“By choosing organic plants and bulbs, you create a safe sanctuary for pollinators and wildlife visiting your garden, ensuring an environmentally friendly space.”
Jurassic Plants, a specialist nursery in Denbighshire, north-east Wales, will feature in this year’s Floral Marquee. Combining their passion for plants with horticultural research and a scientific background, husband and wife Dr Zoltan Hamori (PhD) and Magdolna Hamori-Kovacs (BSc) and their team have carefully cultivated over 600 different species of rare and exotic plants suitable for all sizes of garden. Visitors to the Jurassic Plants stand at the Malvern Autumn Show will be able to browse a fascinating selection of unusual and rare plants that can add vibrancy, uniqueness, flavour and ornamental value to any outdoor space.
Anna Johnson from Jurassic Plants said: “Our highlight this year is our extensive Sechuan Pepper (Zanthoxylum) collection, also our personal favourite. It has given us so much enjoyment over the years, we decided to extend our range to six different species. Each with their own unique peppery flavour, pleasant lemony scent, and level of heat and spice. It gives us great pleasure picking the fresh, young, citrusy leaves and vibrant Sechuan peppercorn straight from our garden, adding fabulous flavours to Japanese and Chinese dishes.
“Another popular highlight includes our delicious fig varieties, pomegranates (some are seedless), mini kiwis and many South American superfruits from the Myrtus Family (Luma, Blepharocalyx, Myrceugenia, Ugni).
“We are also offering selected frost tolerant citrus species, like the Japanese Bitter Orange (Citrus trifoliata) which is fully hardy and fruits in the garden when established; or the Yuzu (Citrus junos) which is a culinary delicacy and the Sweet Lemon (Citrus limetta), both hardy to – 8C when established and can be grown in pots on the patio.”
This year’s Malvern Autumn Show will also feature a huge Harvest Pavilion, in which visitors can admire over 175 different Grow to Show classes, where talented growers proudly present the very best produce grown in their own garden or allotment spaces, including fruit, vegetables, cut flowers and succulents. The Harvest Pavilion also plays host to National Plant Societies who are keen to share their passion and gives tips and advice on growing the perfect specimen. This year, a remarkable 10ft pyramid of beautiful fuchsias will stand proudly in the Pavilion to mark the 85th birthday of the British National Fuchsia Society, with society members on hand to offer their expert advice on caring for these dainty little flowers.
Once again, a stellar line-up of green-fingered special guests will feature across the Malvern Autumn Show’s two gardening focused theatres. BBC Gardeners’ World presenters and horticultural experts, Adam Frost and Arit Anderson will be giving talks in the Garden Theatre, along with other gardening gurus, while in the Potting Shed Theatre, hosted by gardening consultant, Martin Fish, some of the UK’s top growers, nurseries and specialist plant societies will give visitors the chance to pick up plenty of helpful advice on growing, plant care, and maintaining your own green spaces.
All this, plus a delectable food and drink offering from some of the finest local and artisan producers, special guest chef demos in the Kitchen Theatre and plenty of family fun, makes the Malvern Autumn Show an unmissable day out this September.For the full Malvern Autumn Show 2023 programme, and to book tickets (£20 in advance, with children aged 16 and under free of charge) visit: https://www.malvernautumn.co.uk/