Hot on the heels of appearing on BBC Two’s Gardeners’ World, a South Cumbrian horticulturist is set to recreate part of his prize-winning exhibit at Country Fest at the Westmorland Show Ground.
Dan Stearne, 22, was invited to exhibit at the renowned Malvern Spring Festival earlier this month after being scouted by the Royal Horticultural Society.
After months of planning and growing Dan won a prestigious Silver Gilt medal for his first RHS exhibit of peat-free cottage garden perennials.
Dan, who runs his own nursery Dan’s Plants, was then inundated with enquiries after a TV appearance on BBC Gardeners’ World for his debut at the Malvern show.
Dan said: “I’m thrilled and overwhelmed by the support I’ve received following my debut at the RHS flower shows.
“After the programme aired a couple of weeks ago, I’ve had hundreds of enquiries from around the country wanting to buy my plants online, so that’s my next project, looking into packaging that will keep the plants safe during delivery.
“This journey has only been possible with the local support I’ve received over the past eight years, so a massive thank you.
“I’m also excited to be back at Country Fest this year where I am going to recreate a part of my Malvern exhibit for my local customers and supporters.
“The small display will feature one of my hand made sculptures made of unrecyclable plant pots to show visitors the aftermath of unsustainable gardening.
“I’m excited to be returning to the RHS flower shows later this year at Wentworth Woodhouse in South Yorkshire, and hopefully will bring home the gold, plus Chorley and Southport shows.
“I’ve been telling people I’ll do Chelsea Flower Show in 2027 to mark my nursery’s 10th anniversary, but there’s a long way to go.
“The quality and timing of making sure every plant is perfect for one week is something I will need to perfect over a number of years, plus the volume of plants I need to create a worthy display!”
Country Fest takes place on May 31 and June 1.
