Garden Festivals & Events
It’s not only bees busying themselves in our gardens over the next few months, the many fun and fascinating events planned for 2009 will also keep you buzzing all year.
From garden fairs to the Apple Blossom Festival; from award winning Roses to Northern Ireland’s top gardening event The Garden Show Ireland at Hillsborough Castle, 2009 will provide a rich variety of exciting, educational and fun events for young and old.
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Apple Blossom Festival
Apple Extravaganza at the St Patrick’s Trian Visitor Complex, Armagh
Saturday 2nd - Monday 4th May 2009
Celebrate the beautiful apple blossom season in County Armagh with lots of fun for children at the Apple Extravaganza! Apple crafts & games, demonstrations, an Apple Trail and a chance to see the Jack & The Apple Blossom play. Enjoy apple treats in the restaurant. www.visitarmagh.com .
Annual Tulip Festival
Over 8500 bulbs and 122 different varieties of tulip celebrate the opening of the season in the Walled Garden at Glenarm Castle, Saturday 2nd to Monday 4th May 09. Flower arranging demonstrations, gardening experts, children’s play area, art, music and more!
The Argory Plant Fair
A range of plants for sale and garden machinery on display at The Argory, Saturday 10th May 09, 12 noon to 5.30pm. Have a look at the Argory's new greenhouse in the walled garden! www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Grand Garden & Craft Fair at Mount Stewart House & Gardens
Saturday 16th - Sunday 17th May 09, 10am-5pm.
Mount Stewart presents a weekend of something for everyone; Fantastic flowers, curious crafts, fabulous foods and exciting entertainment. www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Garden Show Ireland
The Walled Garden at Hillsborough Castle will play host to the popular Garden Show Ireland Garden Festival for the third year running from Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June 09. Three days of local horticulture at its finest! www.gardenshowireland.com
International Rose Week
The Annual International Rose Trials and Rose Week are held in Sir Thomas & Lady Dixon Park, Belfast from Tuesday 14 to Sunday 19 July 09. Around 50 new varieties are submitted by international breeders each year and each rose is given points for habit, growth, resistance to disease, flower quality and scent. The highlight of the week will be the judging of the trial roses by a panel of experts on Wednesday 15 July 2009. www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events
A World in Your Garden
Join the Head Gardener at Mount Stewart Hours & Gardens on Thursday 23rd July 09 at 7pm for an exclusive walk around the magnificent gardens. The head gardener will highlight some of his personal favourites from one of the most diverse and exotic plant collections in Northern Europe. Take a tour from the Mediterranean to Australasia, find out where plants originate and why they can grow here.
www.nationaltrust.org.uk
Garden Gourmet
This vibrant and colourful event in Belfast’s Botanic Gardens on Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th Sep 09, combines Northern Ireland’s largest flower show with an entertaining food and drink festival. www.belfastcity.gov.uk/events
