Spring Plant Fair With Artisan Market

Garden Zone
Discover a wonderful selection of nurseries from near and far, offering a wide range of unusual and popular plants including trees, ferns, grasses, alpines and more. Local National Plant Collections and the Suffolk Plant Heritage propagation group will also be on site, selling rare plants not easily found elsewhere. Visitors can browse a variety of garden accessories, from antique tools to contemporary sculpture and garden furniture.

Plant Heritage Zone
Throughout the day, experts will be on hand to offer advice on plant care, garden management and supporting wildlife. 800 Aloysia citriodora ‘Spilsbury Mint’ Plants will be given away for free, as part of our commitment to conservation, these will be available throughout each day of the fair — because sharing plants is one of the best ways to protect them.

Garden Marquee
The Garden Marquee will host 2 talks each day, and back for 2026 Meet The Experts- 3 plant experts will be holding a session, answering your gardening questions, from pest control, compost and plant queries. Questions can be submitted before the event to events@helmingham.com Please see the itinerary below.

Sunday 24th May

11.30am – 12.30pm Garden Speaker:  Jim Marshall – The renewal of Benton End Gardens- Home of Sir Cedric Morris.

12.30pm – 1pm Meet the Experts Q&A session:
Jim Marshall– RHS Gold Medal Winner and Retired National Trust Gardens Advisor
Matt Tanton-Brown– Nurseryman (A Place for Plants) and Broadcaster
Anthony Pigott – Scientific Reference 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

Monday 25th May

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 Session:
Jim Marshall– RHS Gold Medal Winner and retired National Trust Gardens Advisor
Matt Tanton-Brown– Nurseryman (A Place for Plants) and Broadcaster
Anthony Pigott – Scientific Reference 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 Wootens of Wenhaston, Pelargoniums (Species and Scented)

Artisan Market
Browse a diverse mix of stalls selling artisan food, handmade soaps, vintage French collectables, pottery and more.
Alongside the stalls, enjoy live music, and a great selection of local food and drink.

Set in front of the stunning, moated Helmingham Hall, visitors can also explore the Grade I Listed Gardens, featuring dramatic borders, knot and herb gardens, a nineteenth-century parterre, the ancient deer park and the walled kitchen garden.

Artists in the Garden
Within the gardens invited artists will be showcasing their skills painting the garden scenery

Please note that membership cards and discount vouchers (including HHA) are not valid on event days. Ticket price includes entry to our Grade I Listed gardens.