2023 is set to be a show-stopping year for Hillier as it returns to BBC Gardener’s World Live for a second time. Following the success of last year’s show, Hillier is returning to the event not just as the Let’s Talk Plants Stage sponsor, but also to support two Show Gardens by partnering with award-winning garden designer – Paul Stone, and rising gardening star Lucy Hutchings (She Grows Veg).
Hillier is sponsoring the “Let’s Talk Plants” stage, hosted by David Hurrion. Throughout the event, this drop-in stage will be home to free sessions and talks with a range of plant specialists. Hillier experts will also be on hand alongside guests and famous faces such as Sue Kent, Francis Tophill, Carol Klein, Adam Frost and Alan Titchmarsh. One of the must-see speakers will be Charles Carr, Head of Wholesale Nurseries at Hillier, who will be showcasing Hillier’s new plant introductions for 2023. These will be available for visitors to buy at the show at the Hillier retail area in the Floral Marquee.
Hillier’s involvement in BBC Gardeners’ World Live doesn’t end there, as the company is also providing plants for the headline Show Garden. Paul Stone’s ‘A Garden Fit for a King’ is inspired by Highgrove Arboretum, incorporating the King’s favourite trees and a wildflower carpet. The idea behind the garden is to inspire visitors to incorporate sustainable initiatives into their own gardens, just as King Charles III has done at Highgrove. Hillier is supplying an array of plants and trees to be included in Paul’s regal garden, and will be supporting Paul throughout the event, manning the garden and providing expert advice to visitors.
Alongside Paul’s garden, Hillier is also sponsoring and providing plants for Lucy Hutchings’ ‘The Secret Homestead’ garden. Lucy, who is better known to her 165,000 followers on Instagram as She Grows Veg, is creating a Show Garden that aims to break away from the traditional grow-your-own vision and explore the ideas of what an edible garden can be. Featuring a dramatic black, white, and coral colour scheme, Lucy plans to fill her show garden with dual-purpose edible plants and flowers, handmade sculptures, and mushroom gardens. Lucy is growing many of the plants and vegetables herself with the support of Hillier, who is providing an array of plants, herbs, and trees, to help bring the garden to life adding further texture and fragrance to the edible garden.
Chris Francis, Hillier Garden Centre and Wholesale Nurseries director, commented: “We can’t wait for BBC Gardeners’ World Live this summer. Last year’s show was our first time as a sponsor and we loved it – it was a fantastic show for us and we had some amazing responses from visitors. So much so that we wanted to return with an even bigger and better offering. We’re thrilled to be partnering with both Paul and Lucy and can’t wait to see their gardens come to life at the show.”
BBC Gardeners’ World Live is set to be an exciting date in any keen gardeners’ calendar and Hillier is thrilled to be supporting the event for another year.
