Eighties popstar turned gardener, Kim Wilde, will be officially opening Capel Manor’s annual three-day spring show next month. Kim, a former student at the Bullsmoor Lane horticultural college, will perform the honours at 11am on Friday, April 8.
The show, now in its 20th year, promises to be bigger and better than ever as the event will also mark the opening of seven new gardens designed by students, including the Fitness Garden created by Kim. All the usual spring show favourites will also be there, including a floral display marquee, food hall, crafts, a Punch and Judy show and plant clinics.
Visitors will be given the opportunity to purchase plants from the nursery along with garden furniture, tools and produce. Admission to the show also includes entry to the 30-acres of themed gardens, including the Italianate Maze, Gardening Which?demonstration gardens and the Japanese Garden all of which will be surrounded by some 20,000 colourful spring bulbs planted in the autumn.
Admission to the show on Friday, April 8, is £5 for adults, £4 concessions, £2 children and £12 for a family ticket (which admits two adults and two children). On April 9 and April 10, tickets are priced £6 for an adult, £5 concessions, £2 children and £14 for family tickets. The show is open between 10am and 5pm each day.
Capel Manor College has the largest garden design school in the country and has recently been awarded learning and skills beacon status in recognition of its exceptionally high standards.