The Country Gardener Speaker’s  Tent will once again feature talks and advice from leading nursery-people and specialist growers who will be sharing their unique knowledge and skills over the two days of the festival on 11 and 12 June at Powderham Castle.

Highlights so far:

 Stewart Pocock owner of Pococks Roses, a man with encyclopaedic  knowledge of roses and how to care for them based on his famous rose fields in the Test Valley in Hampshire where he produces 60,000 plants a year. Stewart will be sharing his knowledge on how to select the right rose for  your garden and how to care for it.

Tim Hancock from Tortworth Plants in Gloucestershire has a reputation for the highest quality herbaceous perennials and classic favourite garden plants. He will be talking at Powderham on classic high summer perennials and how to care for them.

Richard Woods from Lilies and Chillies, a Cornish nursery and one of the country’s leading growers of martagon lilies and more rare and traditional plants. Richard started the nursery in 2008 out of a passion of gardening, plants and propagation. Richard will be talking on lilies, the different groups of lilies available and their growing requirements and uses in the garden.

Tom and Giulia, owners of Piccolo Plants in Branscombe will be sharing their enthusiasm for succulents which they grow at their Barnstaple nursery, along with a demo showing how to propagate these easy and rewarding plants. Due to the pair’s love of collecting, they will also be offering some very rare and unusual plants not available elsewhere in the UK.

Andy McConnachie from Lost Habitat – Andy McConnachie is a pioneer of the design of sensory gardens, establishing wildlife meadows and planting edible garden borders. At the festival Andy, whose ecological landscaping business  which is run from the heart of Devon has won international acclaim will provide expert advice on ponds, trees and  re-wilding. He will explain the benefits of bringing eco systems into gardens and answer questions on how your garden can help preserve bio diversity and help protect the environment.

Talks are free to festival festivals visitors. Buy your advance tickets here.