Saturday, 25 April 2026, 2.00 pm, Wetherden Village Hall Park Road, Wetherden,  IP14 3JS.

Bill Gardiner is Chairman of the Suffolk Orchid Society.  He will talk about orchids and will give advice on members’ own orchids.  In addition we will of course have other plants for sale, produced and maintained by our propagation team.

Note: This is a further change from the originally announced speaker.

Alongside the stalls of the specialist nurseries and artisans, we have an exciting programme of talks and entertainment.

Sunday 24th May

Talks:

11.30am – 12.30pm Garden Speaker – Jim Marshall – The renewal of Benton End Gardens – home of Sir Cedric Morris.
12.30 – 1pm Meet the Experts Q&A:
Jim Marshall – RHS Gold Medal Winner and National Trust Gardens Advisor
Matthew Tanton Brown – Nurseryman (A Place for Plants) and Broadcaster
Anthony Pigott – Scientific Reference National Collection of Dryopteris

1pm – 2pm – Plants of Distinction Collection with Suffolk Plant Heritage Collection Display
2pm – 2.30pm – National Plant Collection Holder Talk: Lucy Skellorn, Foster Irises
2.30pm – 3pm – National Plant Collection Holder Talk: Darren Andrews, Engleheart Narcissus

Entertainment:

10.30am – 4pm Harriet Cree Musician
12 noon – 12.45pm – Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band
1.45pm – 2.30pm – Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band
Dancers – throughout the day
Sid the Sax – throughout the day in the stable courtyard

Artists in the Garden:

Details will be announced on the day, depending on the weather.

Monday 25th May

Talks:

11.30am – 12.30pm Garden Talk: Jim Marshall – The renewal of Benton End Gardens – home of Sir Cedric Morris.
12.30pm – 1pm Meet the Experts Q&A:
Jim Marshall – RHS Gold Medal Winner and National Trust Gardens Advisor
Matthew Tanton Brown – Nurseryman (A Place for Plants) and Broadcaster
Anthony Pigott – Scientific Reference National Collection of Dryopteris

1pm – 2pm – Plants of Distinction Collection with Suffolk Plant Heritage Collection Display
2pm – 2.30pm – National Plant Collection Holder Talk: Mel Collins of Mickfield Hostas – Hosta Q&A
2.30pm – 3pm – National Plant Collection Holder Talk: Gill Stafford of Woottens of Wenhaston, Pelargoniums (Species and Scented)

Entertainment:

10am – 12 noon – Holly Brice
12 noon – 12.45pm – Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band
1.45pm – 2.30pm – Suffolk Phoenix Brass Band
Dancers – throughout the day
Sid the Sax – throughout the day in the stable courtyard
2pm – 4pm – Suffolk One Musicians

Artists in the Garden:

Details will be announced on the day, depending on the weather.

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. 

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.

Suffolk Plant Heritage Plant Fair at  Helmingham Hall

24th & 25th May 2026

More details in due course.

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. 

Thymus × citriodorus ‘Lime’, commonly known as Lime Thyme, is a fragrant evergreen perennial herb prized for its distinctive citrus aroma and vibrant foliage. A hybrid within the mint family (Lamiaceae), it’s thought to have originated from crosses between common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) and lemon thyme (Thymus pulegioides), combining the culinary versatility of thyme with a refreshing lime scent. Its compact growth habit and ornamental appeal make it equally at home in herb gardens, ornamental borders, or container displays.

This variety typically forms a low, spreading mat of small, oval, lime-green leaves, reaching around 6-12″ (15–30 cm) in height with a spread of 9-12″ (25–30 cm). In summer, it produces clusters of tiny pink flowers that attract bees and other pollinators, adding ecological value to its aesthetic charm. The foliage releases its citrusy fragrance when brushed or crushed, making it a delightful choice for planting near paths, patios, or seating areas.

Cultivation is straightforward, provided its Mediterranean origins are respected. Lime Thyme thrives in full sun, ideally with at least six hours of direct light daily, and prefers light, well-drained soil with a neutral to slightly alkaline pH. It tolerates poor soils, heat, and drought once established, but suffers in waterlogged conditions, so amending heavy clay with grit or sand is recommended. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry between watering, and avoid over-fertilising, which can reduce flavour intensity. Regular pruning in spring and after flowering helps maintain a dense, bushy habit and prolongs the plant’s productive life.

In the kitchen, Thymus × citriodorus ‘Lime’ offers a zesty twist on traditional thyme, pairing beautifully with fish, poultry, salads, and herbal teas. Harvest sprigs as needed, ideally just before flowering for peak flavour, and dry or freeze for later use.

Suffolk Plant Heritage gives away a free plant, bulb or seeds at our plant fairs as part of its active conservation work. Anyone in Suffolk can grow little known but worthwhile garden plants and help secure their survival for the future. Wide distribution of a plant is the best form of conservation.Suffolk Plant Heritage runs plant propagation workshops and sells unusual plants at various events.