Green message will be main feature at Spring Malvern Show

For the first time ever, the Malvern Spring Gardening Show (12 to 15 May 2011) will be dedicating its entire theatre programme to the subject of conserving the natural environment. The biodiversity message will be paramount at this year's spring show with green fingered visitors being encouraged to make small changes in the way they garden to make a significant impact on local and ultimately global diversity.

The new 'Garden in Harmony Theatre' boasts two walk-through gardens designed by 2010 Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scholarship winner, Paul Hervey-Brookes. The 'In Flight Garden' is a pocket space of valuable wildlife habitats and native species and the 'Companion Garden' is an area of pest-repellent companion planting.

Contenders for this year's  Chris Beardshaw Mentoring Scheme will showcase 11 stunning gardens all designed to the topical theme of 'Atom' in celebration of the 2011 International Year of Chemistry. Chris Beardshaw has been delighted at the huge response to this unique scholarship opportunity and it is expected that this year's crop of gardens is likely to be some of the highest quality gardens produced during the four years of the scheme.

James Alexander-Sinclair will host the four-day programme of talks and demonstrations from a star studded line-up of respected gardeners, wildlife enthusiasts and industry experts. Landscape Man, Matthew Wilson, and herb expert Jekka McVicar are heading up the discussion panel on Thursday 12 May and talking about rain gardens and integrated pest management respectively.

On Friday 13th May, 'Biodiversity - What, Why and How?' is the subject of a talk by award-winning garden designer and television presenter, Chris Beardshaw. On the same day Kim Hurst, The Cottage Herbery, will demonstrate organic and natural planting.

Saturday 14 May sees Joe Swift on stage explaining how even the smallest urban garden can work in harmony with the natural environment without compromising on beauty and style.

Mike Dilger ('Wild Gardens' and 'Springwatch') makes his Malvern debut on Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 with a look at garden wildlife and natural predators.

Sharon Gilbert, Press & PR Manager for the Showground comments: "Gardening is one area where the general public can do its bit to preserve and create habitats, plant native species, compost waste, garden organically and dig ponds. It might be small scale, but it all contributes to the global effort and events like ours must get behind the initiative, to keep up the momentum and promote the message to as many people as possible."

The Malvern Spring Gardening Show is a partnership between The Malvern Showground and the Royal Horticultural Society, and takes place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12-15 May.

For further information and tickets go to their website: www.threecounties.co.uk/springgardening

Photo:  © Malvern Spring Garden Show