Harrogate Spring Flower Show has been rated the UK’s best gardening event by readers of the consumer magazine Which? Gardening.
It’s sister event, the Harrogate Autumn Flower Show also scored highly, coming a close third in the national poll to find the top 10 gardening events recommended by over 2,300 members of Which?
The spring show scored 86% as the event most people would recommend to others and attend again themselves.
The flower displays, shopping and expert advice were singled out for praise, together with the choice and quality of plants from over 100 nurseries at the event. With show gardens, a cookery theatre, food marquee and floral art, readers thought there was enough to occupy visitors for the whole day and plenty to interest non-gardeners too.
The autumn show, scored 81% with Which? members, who were wowed by its giant vegetable competition and amazing flower displays. Again they found plenty to fill an entire day and to prompt repeat visits.
Staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground and attracting nearly 100,000 visitors, the twice-yearly Harrogate Flower Shows are Britain’s biggest and most prestigious independent gardening events.
Other non-RHS shows featured in the Which? top 10 were Shrewsbury Flower Show, which came in sixth, and Gardening Scotland, rated ninth. The top ranking RHS event was Hampton Court Show, which came second at 82%, with Malvern Spring Gardening Show in fourth and Tatton Park Flower Show in fifth. Chelsea Flower Show ranked in eighth place with 75%.
News of the latest accolade for Harrogate Flower Shows, followed last week’s announcement that they had also been voted the Most Popular Gardening Event of the Year by over 47,000 viewers of the specialist TV network, The Horticultural Channel. Second place went to The Edible Garden Show and third to RHS Hampton Court Show.
Show Director Martin Fish, said:
The results of the Which? survey and the Horticultural Channel Awards are fantastic news and a tremendous affirmation of the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with Harrogate Flower Shows, from exhibitors and garden designers to staff and volunteers. We would like to thank all those who voted for us or took part in the survey for their support and recognition.
We are immensely proud of our 102-year heritage of supporting and promoting horticulture and of the very special relationship we enjoy with our visitors, many of whom return year after year. We constantly look for ways to improve and develop in response to their views, indeed the 2013 Spring show will feature twice the number of show gardens as a direct result of the comments we received from our visitors last year.”
