A Botanical celebration will bloom at Sandringham from 3-11 June
Working with local communities and charities, ‘Sandringham in Bloom’ a new nine-day event celebrating all things flora and fauna will pop up on the Estate from Saturday 3 - Sunday 11 June.
The interior of Sandringham House will be decorated using British seasonal flowers sourced from a UK flower farming movement ‘Flowers from the Farm’, a not-for-profit membership association championing over 960 independent, artisan growers of local, seasonal British cut flower across the UK.
Using the flowers Fakenham Flower Club will create a series of displays using a mixture of species including wildflower mixes, dahlias, zinnias, sunflowers, snapdragons, phlox and cosmos. In addition, a special floral replica of the Coronation robe worn by Queen Elizabeth II will feature in the House, made by 24 floral arrangers from Salisbury Cathedral. The delicate robe is a combination of Pampas grass, Ruscus Leaves, Ferns and Helichrysum.
In Sandringham Gardens, three show gardens will be planted by local charities - The Norfolk Hospice, Bee Happy Gardens (supporting Dementia) and Family Action raising awareness for their respective charities. Based around a common theme, these gardens will provide a space for visitors to reflect and reconnect with nature using herbs, shrubs and plants to evoke emotions through the senses such as Rosemary, thyme and fennel.
Installations to support the flora will be set amongst the Gardens, including a magnificent display of floral artistry around The Norwich Gates, a 10ft metal cow parsley made by a local blacksmith, willow weaved crowns and a galvanised steel wire Iberian horse all sculptured by local artists. Visitors are invited to join free live talks and tours during the day offering tips on how to grow your own, as well as celebrating the diverse and rich planting of Sandringham Garden itself which has been developed in turn by each Monarch since 1863.
Additional Twilight Tours and a celebratory Dinner with Royal Gardeners will also feature as part of the nine-day event. Plant producers and garden accessory stands will be available at Sandringham Courtyard in the Royal Parkland along with flowers and plants grown from the Estate’s own nursery.
Highlights of Sandringham in Bloom include:
A nine-day spectacle of floral arrangements inside Sandringham House, Gardens and St Mary Magdalene Church.
Queen Elizabeth II Floral Coronation Robe from Salisbury Cathedral
Three Show Gardens
The Potting Shed will offer a series of activities for younger visitors
A relaxing Gin Bar in the Gardens where visitors can sample Sandringham Estate Botanical Gin Cocktails accompanied by a live harpist at the weekends
Horticulture specialists and growers selling unique plants and garden accessories at the Courtyard
Themed floral Sandringham in Bloom Afternoon Tea and Picnic Afternoon Tea
Free daily talks and tours with expert advice from Sandringham Gardeners
Exclusive Twilight Garden Tours taking in the exhibition “Watercolours’ by His Majesty The King in the House concluding with a glass of Windsor Sparking wine or Sandringham Apple Juice
A very special Royal Gardeners’ Dinner with the Head Gardeners from Sandringham Estate, Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle and Dumfries House on Wednesday 7 June, with a menu featuring produce from the Royal Residencies.