17th & 18th June 2023
Join us for the celebration of the 30th Unusual Plants Fair! The 30th anniversary of the Unusual Plants Fair is set to be the biggest and most intriguing yet, so be prepared to be dazzled by the wondrous array of out of the ordinary plants!
Experts will be on hand to provide visitors with advice on their curious plant delights throughout the day. Whether it be how or where to plant a new specimen, or providing fun facts and recommendations for planting schemes, the experts have lots of hints and tips to share. There will also be workshops and demonstrations. On the Saturday, Rosemary Lanning, a flower arranger at Gilbert White’s House, will lead hand tied flower posy workshops* at 11am and 12pm. On the Sunday, Louise Arthur, from Rough Around the Hedges, will be holding free drop-in willow weaving demonstrations.
Relax over the Father’s Day weekend by also treating your loved ones to food from the BBQ, tea and cake from the cafe, and even the glorious selection of Summer beers from the onsite 1765 brewery!
Specially for the 30th Anniversary, entry for children is free and it is half price entry for adults.The admission tickets include entry to the house and gardens. There is currently a free exhibition ‘Seeds of Change’ which looks at unusual aspects connected to seeds. The wildflower meadow, kitchen and cottage gardens are at their peak during June. So book your tickets below now!
Below is a flavour of the Unusual Plants Fair stallholders who will be present:
Charleshurst Farm nursery
A small nursery growing mostly shrubs and small trees, including some rare and unusual species and varieties.
Dan Cooper Garden
Garden tools (including hand tools, secateurs and pruning knives), seeds, seed trays, bird nesters, brushes, and bee skeps.
Edulis Nursery
Mid-summer perrenials – shade lovers, ferns and unusual edibles.
Fleur De Lys
Conservatory plants & tender species which thrive under glass in Orangeries, Glasshouses & Pool rooms. Houseplants and plants for the home.
Green Prospects
Southampton based grower who specialises in trees, shrubs, herbaceous plants, bulbs and orchids.
Lavender Hare
Lavender Hare take great pride in selecting vintage finds to complement any home or garden. From:- ebamel ware, galvanised containers, trugs, baskets, wine carriers, stoneware, kitchenalia
Leesa’s Not Just Alpine
A delightful range of garden worthy alpines and cottage garden perennials.
Long Acre Plants
Nursery stand specialising in unusual woodland Perennials and ferns.
Madrona Nursery
Unusual and rare ornamental garden plants.
Miles Japanese Maples
A specialist in Japanese Maples and Acer trees.
Oakview nursery
Grower of gorgeous hardy salvia’s.
Palms UK
Palm Tree specialists, also providing pots and fertilisers.
Parks Perennials
A taste of the well-loved perennial garden plants.
Peake perennials
Ornamental grasses, unusual herbaceous perennials and bulbs.
Redmayne Perennials
Redmayne perennials is a small nursery based in St Albans and specialising in a range of reliable and more unusual herbaceous and woody perennials grown from seed. With an emphasis on species rather than cultivars and on plants that are drought tolerant and good for pollinators.
Rotherview Nursery
A loverly array of Alpines, Ferns and Perennials.
Seale Rose Garden
The May family has been growing award-winning roses at Seale since 1948 and are RHS Medallists for Roses. David and Catherine enjoy sharing their knowledge and expertise with other rose enthusiasts, whether novice or experienced gardeners. They grow not only a choice selection of carefully selected varieties for all situations but also specialise in fragrant, repeat flowering climbers and big climbing roses for instant impact.
Spring Meadow Nurseries
Hardy Perennials, lavender, shrubs and alpines.
Triffids Nursery
Dazzling traditional and unusual cottage plants, ponds plants and a few succulents.
Gilbert White’s Garden Plant Stall
Interesting and unusual plants grown by the garden team here at Gilbert White’s House and Gardens.
Gilbert White’s Brewery
The beer served is brewed in the 1765 brewhouse on our site. During the Summer, the volunteer brewers use the hops picked from the garden. It also supplies the Jubilee Tap room across the road which we opened earlier this year.
Gilbert White’s Beekeepers
Come and learn all about bees from our volunteer beekeeping team who manage our apiary year round.
*An example of Rosemary’s posy:
