Woburn Abbey Plant Fair

We often comment that the best nurseries and plant fairs are all quite some distance from where we live, so it was lovely to discover that some of our favourite nurseries from around the country would be attending the Woburn Abbey Plant Fair. Woburn is about 10 miles from us so quite a short journey. The landscaped grounds of the magnificent Woburn Abbey Stately Home formed a lovely location for this show. It is not as big as some of the others we have been to but that did not detract from the day.

Brits love to queue! Waiting outside for the show to open

Once we were inside a brass band was performing a selection of music, there is something about a brass band on a summers day - even if the weather was at times very showery - to lift the spirits and bring a smile to your face. 

As well as brass bands welcoming you, a big selection of wooden animals and other carved objects had seemingly popped up through the grass!

But then we were onto the plants, these bright yellow Kniphofia caught our eye, although we decided we really didn't have anywhere to put it, so left these behind. The white Roscoea also attracted us but were also left behind - we were starting off with the best intentions not to get too many plants!

There were plenty of stands with a fine selection of herbaceous perennials, and whilst we initially resisted temptation from this display, a Hosta 'Empress Wu' (our second one) did find its way into my hands :)

Shady Plants had a lovely selection of ferns,good quality and prices too.

I thought that these Geraniums had a lovely leaf shape and colour, but sadly still had a rather typical and slightly insipid flower, we left these behind, but at £2.50 each they were good value in anyone's book!

The brightly coloured blooms of Irises, whilst we didn't take any home these could work very well in a hot tropical style border... now there's an idea for the future perhaps

Cotswold Garden Flowers are a regular at many of the plant fairs, and a nursery we normally visit most summers. As we haven't had time to go to them it was rather handy that they came to us. I must confess a couple of plants from their stand made it into the car :)

Crug Farm are always a big attraction for us, especially as we haven't (yet) made the trip to North Wales to visit - something we must put right soon. And once again they did not disappoint: great quality and unusual plants. Crug do not attend many plant fairs, so to have them so close to home was something of a treat.

Gunnera killipiana at the front of this section Crugs stand

 We had met up with our gardening friend, Don, who I am perusing the Crug Farm display with.

As well as fine plants, there was also a selection of fine locally produced food, most of the stands offering samples as you passed by, much of which we sampled - well it would be rude not to taste it!

Throughout the day a number of well known gardeners were giving free talks. Diarmuid Gavin was talking about gardening, despite the Harlem Shake inspired pose above.

The grounds themselves were also worth looking at.

Just as we were heading back to the car we had to stop and chat with the guys from Animals Go Large who make giant 3D jigsaws of various animals and even dinosaurs.

They have even made a 7foot version of the T-rex above, which I would imagine would be great fun.

Overall a lovely day in a great location, we came home with quite a few interesting new plants that will pop up in a future post. 

Gaz

Posted in: Plant fair
Location: Woburn Abbey, Milton Keynes, Central Bedfordshire MK17, UK