On Saturday 18th May 2024, the usual wide variety of garden plants will be on sale at Creake Abbey’s much-loved annual Plant Lovers’ Day. This year we are delighted to be giving profits and donations from the day to the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity.
Hugo Stevenson, Head of Fundraising and Communications said: ”The Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity is thrilled to be selected as the designated charity for the perennially popular Plant Lovers’ Day at Creake Abbey. Following completion of the new Priscilla Bacon Lodge, which welcomed its first patients in September 2023, the Charity’s activities are now focused on providing additional, complementary and enhanced services for all those who come to the new hospice.
With core care provided through the NHS, the Priscilla Bacon Hospice Charity is fundraising to improve and enrich the experience of patients and loved ones before, at the point of and after bereavement.”
Plant Lovers’ Day, now in its 17th year, welcomes specialist garden nurseries from across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex as well as leading nurseries from further afield are invited to showcase their best quality plants. Excellent-value herbaceous perennials, annuals, bulbs, shrubs, climbers and a wide selection of popular plants such as roses, will be on offer. Visitors are invited to buy direct from the nurseries or pre-order specific plants with collection on the day. As always, the public is encouraged to take full advantage of the advice and inspiration on offer from the region’s leading plantsmen.
Visitors may also browse the wares and services of Creake Abbey’s resident independent shops and services. The gate opens at 10am and closes at 4pm. Entrance to the plant fair is £5.00 per adult and there is no charge for under 16s. The rest of the site is free to visitors.
The list of specialist nurseries booked to attend will be updated weekly but the following are booked to attend;
Acre Meadow Plants - Canna and Aeonium and other exotic plants e: kk.acremeadow@gmail.com
Cottage Memories - Classic and standard roses grown for fragrance and reliability t: 01945 410768 e: rosesbycottagememories@btinternet.com
Fernatix - One of the UK’s leading fern growers based in Suffolk. RHS gold medal winners. t: 007717 047502 or w: https://mailfernatix.co.uk/
Greenacre Plants - Specialising in Sempervivum e: greenacreplants@gmail.com
Hedgehog Plants - Trees, shade loving plants and much more e: info@theinterestingplantnursery.co.uk
Helens 4 Seasons Plants - Winter flowering shrubs and herbaceous perennials t: 01603 715348 e: helensplants@yahoo.co.uk
Helens Herbaceous - Plants for the cutting garden t: 01953 498180 e: helensherbaceous@yahoo.com
Ilex Alba Ltd - Bringing the outside in with beautiful bespoke succulent planters w: https://ilexalba.co.uk/
Jelly Cottage Plants - Specialists in hardy cottage garden perennials and Bearded Iris t: 01263 577727 e: mbjcp@hotmail.com
Mandy Plants - Specialist grower of Mandevilla and Dipladenia and other tender perennials t: 01328 878144 e: enquiries@mandyplants.com
Mickfield Hostas - Dedicated to the genus Hosta. National collection holder. t: 01449 711576 e: mickfieldhostas@btconnect.com
Monksilver Nursery - Rare and uncommon plants specialising in Arum, Aster, Galanthus, herbacious perennials and rare trees and shrubs t: 07778 309428 e: info@monksilvernursery.co.uk
Norfolk Estate Fencing - Design, build and install of park fencing and gates t: 01263 735656 e: info@norfolkestatefencing.co.uk
Palmers Nursery - Ornamental grasses, sedges and bamboo. t: 01553 772281 e: palmers06@btinternet.com
Perfect Perennials - Dedicated to perennials in a range of pot sizes t: 01449 711320 e: perper@hotmail.co.uk
Perfect Plantings Nursery - Hardy perennials, bulbs, ornamental grasses, exotic plants, ferns, shade lovers & shrubs t: 07981 396334 e: perfectplantings@virginmedia.com
Plant Lovers Garden - For all Plant Lovers, specialising in Clematis and some unusual herbaceous perennials and ornamental shrubs t: 07850 239393 e: sales@plantloversgarden.com
Predator Plants - A wide range of carnivorous, insect eating plants - rare and endangered varieties a specialty to protect their survival t: 01603 427480 e: predatorplants4u@yahoo.com
Redman Plants - good quality perennials for both sunny and shady spots, front of border and back of border situations. More recently specialising in salvias t: 01371 810008 e: redmanhardyplants@yahoo.co.uk
Stubby Shrubs - a small cottage nursery specialising in cottage perennials, including hostas, ferns, penstemon, salvia, stokesia, polemonium and astrantia t: 07736 033029 e: stubbyshrubs@gmail.com
The Norfolk Olive Tree Company - offering rare and old olive trees, companion plants, pots and a garden design service w: https://www.thenorfolkolivetreecompany.co.uk/
West Acre Gardens - Working with Panache Plants to offer an extensive range of perennials, shrubs, grasses, climbers, roses and alpines (including Primula auriculas and Rhodohypoxis) along with a large selection of shade and woodland plants and drought tolerant plants. w: https://westacregardens.co.uk/about/
Woottens of Wenhaston - Herbaceous hardy perennials specialising in Bearded Iris, Hemerocallis, Auriculas, Pelargoniums, & Hardy Geraniums t: 01502 478258 e: info@woottensplants.co.uk
We are also delighted to welcome the following non-nursery stands:
National Garden Scheme - Norfolk County organisers with information on the gardens open in 2024. w: www.ngs.org.uk
The Norfolk Gardens Trust - Norfolk charity concerned with the preservation and enhancement of outstanding gardens and landscapes within the county https://www.norfolkgt.org.uk/
Tinker and Fix - Beautiful, high quality gardening tools https://tinkerandfix.co.uk/
Norfolk Shepherd Huts - Hand built huts using traditional Norfolk craftsmanship http://www.norfolkshepherdhuts.co.uk/
Plantgrow - Organic approved fertiliser products made from a renewable energy process, with no chemicals, no peat, and no animal waste. PlantGrow’s organic approved fertiliser’s & composts are made entirely from plants, packed full of micronutrients and are leading the way to a more sustainable future https://plantgrow.co.uk/
A plant creche will operate all day in the Main Barn allowing you to shop and drop. Supervised by a member of Creake Abbey staff.
Refreshments on the day will be provided by a stunning line up of carefully selected Norfolk street food and catering businesses alongside The Barn Café as follows:
Owie’s Big Black Piggy Porkers - hot bacon or sausage baps and pork burgers
The Duck Truck - the famous duck wraps with cucumber, spring onion and hoisin sauce
Coffeesmiths - Artisan coffee, tea and snacks
The Hope Coffee Co - Barista coffee, tea and hot chocolate
Traditional Norfolk Ice Cream - Cones, ice creams and tubs from the Lakenham Creamery
