Urban New Zealand Cottage Garden

FROM THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE TO THE ANGUS GLENS– INSPIRATION FROM NEAR AND FAR SET TO STUN AT GARDENING SCOTLAND 2009.

AN URBAN New Zealand cottage garden where southern hemisphere plants mix with Scottish gardening style, is set to be one of the centrepieces of Gardening Scotland 2009.

The exhibit, to be created in the Dobbies Floral Hall by Billy Carruthers of Binny Plants in Ecclesmachan, will celebrate the influence of Scottish gardeners who left their home country for a new life on the other side of the world.

Billy says: “Many Scots emigrated to New Zealand in the 19th and 20th centuries and took with them a very traditional gardening style, the influence of which can still be seen today.”

Show gardens to be created for 2009 will include a tribute to Angus-born botanist George Don; an allotment constructed in the form of a maze and a garden consisting entirely of wild flowers. Horticultural colleges from across Scotland will also be making gardens at the Show.

This year marks the 10th year of Gardening Scotland and new features for the anniversary will include a Plant Heritage Village and a Terracotta Pot competition to be competed for by Scottish Women’s Rural Institutes across the country.

The popular Pallet Garden competition, which is run by the Scottish Gardeners’ Federation and sponsored by Klondyke Garden Centres, is set to double in size this year from 50 to 100 mini-plots with schools, nurseries and gardening clubs competing for medals.

More specialist nurseries and growers are set to exhibit in the Dobbies Floral Hall than ever before, including many who will be taking part in Gardening Scotland for the first time.

Also new this year will be a People’s Choice Award to be voted for by visitors on the first day on the Show, along with awards for the most Eco-Friendly Exhibit and the Most Innovative Display. Each awards is worth £500 and they bring the total prize money for exhibitors to over £23,000.

Regular attractions will include The BBC Scotland Beechgrove Theatre; The Living Garden where experts from leading

environmental organisations will be providing lots of useful advice; a Craft Fair, a Food Fayre and The Big Back Garden, complete with sizzling BBQ demonstrations, which will celebrate all the fun that families can have from their outdoor space.

Gardening Scotland’s charity partner for 2009 will be Perennial, the only UK charity dedicated to supporting people of all ages who work within the gardening profession.