News – Suffolk Plant Heritage

Daffodil Open Day April 11 2026

SPH-Admin — Fri, 10 Apr 2026 13:31:35 +0000

Narcissus cultivars bred & introduced by the Rev G H Engleheart

Open day to visit the National Plant Collection.

A large, plantsman’s garden with an extensive and established collection of historic daffodils as well as most of the extant Engleheart cultivars. Refreshments will be available as well as pots of daffodil bulbs from both the Engleheart collection and the Plant Heritage propagation group.

Event Start Date	Saturday, 11 April 2026 11.30am
Event End Date	Saturday, 11 April 2026 4.00pm
Cost	£5.
Event Location	Cotton Lodge Cotton IP14 4RQ
Event Contact	Suffolk Group
Telephone	01473 822987
Contact	waspfactory72@yahoo.co.uk

Bath’s Flame

March’s Talk – ‘English Trees’

SPH-Admin — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 11:02:01 +0000

A Talk by Brian Partridge

Saturday, 28 March 2026 2.00pm, Wetherden Village Hall Park Road, Wetherden, IP14 3JS.

Brian is a retired electronic engineer who now spends his time woodturning amongst many things. He is a member of Suffolk Plant Heritage and his work, which he generously donates, can often be found in the raffles at Wetherden.

Members’ Weekend and Plant Exchange 2026 in Suffolk

SPH-Admin — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 18:59:21 +0000

Suffolk is hosting the annual National Members’ get together and Plant Exchange. Beautiful Helmingham Hall near Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds are at the centre of what promises to be a memorable weekend for all. Everyone is welcome and you can invite friends or family.

Event Start Date	Friday, 5 June 2026 6.30pm
Event End Date	Sunday, 7 June 2026 12.00pm
Cost	£40 for dinner/talk on Friday, £50 for Saturday all day. Sunday morning for visits to National Collections and gardens open especially for us.
Event Location	Bury St Edmunds and Helmingham Hall near Stowmarket Suffolk
Event Contact	Plant Heritage Membership Team
Telephone	01483 447540
Contact	membership@plantheritage.org.uk

For full details, see the Plant Heritage National web site:

https://www.plantheritage.org.uk/events/national/members-weekend-and-plant-exchange-2026-in-suffolk/

BOOKINGS NOW OPEN.

Please note the Friday dinner/talk is fully booked but there are still spaces for Saturday.

February’s Talk – ‘A to Z of Roses’

SPH-Admin — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 10:22:41 +0000

A Talk by Simon White.

Saturday, 28 February 2026 2.00pm, Wetherden Village Hall Park Road, Wetherden, IP14 3JS.

Simon White retired as Garden Centre Rose Sales Manager at Peter Beales Roses with over 40 years’ experience in growing the nation’s favourite flower. He is the vice chairman of Norfolk & Norwich Horticultural Society, a judge for Anglia in Bloom and holder of the RHS Long Service Award (given to those who have made a significant contribution to horticulture over at least 40 years).

Plants will be available for sale.

First Talk of 2026 – 24th January

SPH-Admin — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 21:32:20 +0000

We start the new year with a talk by Tim Fuller on ‘New and Unusual Plants’.

Tim Fuller’s nursery, The Plantsman’s Preference, has been providing quality ornamental plants since its founding in 1996. Tim is a member of the RHS Floral Trials Panel (since 2008) who are responsible for recommending plants for the RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) and of the Stipa Trial Panel.

Autumn Plant Fair 2025

SPH-Admin — Mon, 08 Sep 2025 13:37:51 +0000

Next weekend!

Plant Heritage Autumn Plant Fair and Artisan Market

It’s the 25th Anniversary Plant Fair at Helmingham Hall!

Sunday 14th September: 10 am – 4 pm, Helmingham Hall, IP14 6EF. Entrance: Adults £10 (£9.00 in advance) – Children: Free (includes admission into the Grade 1 Listed Gardens).

• 800 free plants for visitors distributed during the day
• Hundreds of rare and unusual plants
• Garden and lifestyle accessories
• Specialist nurseries & National Plant Collections
• Expert advice & demonstrations
• Live music & entertainment
• Local food and drink producers
• Children’s activities

Tickets for the Autumn Plant Fair can be purchased in advance from the Helmingham Hall web site or on the gate on the day.

Spring Plant Fair 2025

SPH-Admin — Wed, 21 May 2025 06:24:20 +0000

Not long now!

Plant Heritage Spring Plant Fair and Artisan Market

Sunday 25th & Monday 26th May: 10 am – 4 pm, Helmingham Hall, IP14 6EF.

Entrance: Adults £12 (£10.00 in advance) – Children under 15: Free (includes admission into the Grade 1 Listed Gardens).

• Free plant for 800 visitors distributed during the two days
• Hundreds of rare and unusual plants
• Garden and lifestyle accessories
• Specialist nurseries & National Plant Collections
• Expert advice & demonstrations
• Live music & entertainment
• Local food and drink producers
• Children’s activities

Tickets for the Spring Plant Fair can be purchased in advance from the Helmingham Hall web site or on the gate on the day.

First Meeting of 2025 – 25th January

SPH-Admin — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 09:59:42 +0000

25th January: Luci Skinner – Irises and their place in our Gardens

2.30pm, Wetherden Village Hall, Park Road, IP14 3JS

A discussion about all species of Iris, from Bearded Iris to water Iris. Looking at how an Iris can enhance our gardens 12 months of the year and how to grow and propagate each form we discuss. A focus on bearded Irises particularly towards the end of the presentation.

The Free Plant Autumn 2024

SPH-Admin — Tue, 03 Sep 2024 13:27:11 +0000

Camissia quamash is the free plant (for 800 visitors, released during the day) at the Helmingham Plant Fair, September 2024.

Native to western North America in large areas of southern Canada and the northwestern United States, Camissia quamash is Ideally suited to naturalised planting schemes including wildflower meadows or grassland where the soils are reliably moist (but not waterlogged). It will also make a handsome addition to the herbaceous border, where its bright blue flowers and greyish green leaves will add colour and structure in late spring and early summer.

Position in full sun or partial shade in moist but well-drained, fertile, humus-rich soil.

Autumn Plant Fair 2024

SPH-Admin — Thu, 11 Jul 2024 08:45:54 +0000

It’s not too soon to put this in your diaries and book your tickets!

Plant Heritage Autumn Plant Fair and Artisan Market

Sunday 15th September: 10 am – 4 pm, Helmingham Hall, IP14 6EF. Entrance: Adults £10 (£9.00 in advance) – Children: Free (includes admission into the Grade 1 Listed Gardens).

• Free plant for 800 visitors distributed during the day
• Hundreds of rare and unusual plants
• Garden and lifestyle accessories
• Specialist nurseries & National Plant Collections
• Expert advice & demonstrations
• Live music & entertainment
• Local food and drink producers
• Children’s activities

Tickets for the Autumn Plant Fair can be purchased in advance from the Helmingham Hall web site or on the gate on the day.