Hillier unveils woodland themed garden design for BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair

Hillier has unveiled its garden design for the 2024 BBC Gardeners' World Spring Fair. As headline sponsor of the show, the leading nursery will curate a cultivated woodland themed display perfectly suited to the New Forest surroundings of the show.

The garden will embody a traditional woodland brimming with many natural woodland plants such as Cornus, Hellebores, Ferns, Foxgloves and Primroses – offering gardeners inspiration for how to create their own pockets of woodland at home.

Visitors to the garden will also find narrow bark paths that resemble forest pathways and animal tracks, with stumps and woodpiles providing natural habitats for insects. Beneath the canopy of the trees, dappled light will filter through the leaves to create a calming and captivating outdoor haven, transporting visitors to the British countryside.

“We are pleased to unveil our design for the 2024 Spring Fair. This year, with more focus on woodland and naturalistic planting and cultivated areas, we have created something completely unique in comparison to our usual style,” says Chris Francis, Wholesale and Retail Director of Hillier. “We are looking forward to once again providing inspiration and advice to visitors at the Fair and are excited to be able to share this natural and harmonious woodland we are creating.”

Subtle flowers such as Snakeshead Fritillary, Primrose and Cowslip will surround the garden around the long grassy borders, and Hellebores and Foxgloves will punctuate with blocks of colour to contrast against the green and brown hues of the trees and bark. Under the canopy of large semi-mature trees ,visitors will appreciate an array of planting with a variety of different heights, structures, and textures to create a dynamic effect.

As well as exploring the woodland garden, visitors to the Fair will be able to enjoy the Hillier Experience and receive advice directly from Hillier experts. The Fair will also be the first outing for some new plant introductions from Hillier Nurseries – with more to be announced soon! Guests are encouraged to upskill their green-fingers at the talks and demo stages around the Fair and discover design ideas from the Showcase Gardens and space-savvy Beautiful Borders. They can even book a practical workshop to go home with some new skills too. With over 100 exhibitors, gardeners can bring their ideas to life and shop directly for plants and kit.

There are plenty of attractions to keep guests entertained, including the BBC Good Food Market, street food and al-fresco bar, and they will be able to explore Beaulieu’s attractions including the National Motor Museum, Palace House, and spring gardens. Visitors will also be able to see BBC Gardeners’ World’s Frances Tophill (Friday), Adam Frost (Saturday), Rachel de Thame (Sunday), and Sue Kent (Saturday) across the weekend.

The BBC Gardeners’ World Spring Fair is taking place in the stunning setting of Beaulieu from 3rd to 5th May, and Hillier is proud to be a sponsor for the fourth year in a row. Tickets are available from www.bbcgardenersworldfair.com.

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Editors notes

“To inspire the creation of green living spaces for now and the future”

Hillier is the most successful exhibitor in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, having been awarded 74 consecutive gold medals.

The company was founded in 1864 by Edwin Hillier and remains a family-run nursery with the fifth generation now actively involved in the family business as it continues to grow. The company employs over 750 staff across its nursery, amenity trees and 22 garden centre divisions, and grows over one million plants a year. It is the largest tree grower in the UK.

Over the years, Hillier has been responsible for numerous plant introductions, many of which have become essentials in British gardens and it continues with the tradition of innovation and the introduction of new garden plants in the present day.