Inspiration and ideas are being offered in a series of gardening and food workshops at the renowned Petersham Nurseries and Café.

Participants will be able to get advice on how to make the best of their gardens, plants and flowers while also enjoying and learning how to create fine seasonal foods.

While many spend spring days at the garden centre looking for bedding plants to add an instant splash of colour, Petersham is concerned to support sustainable improvements under the banner 'slow gardening'.

This links in to the Petersham Nurseries' ethical approach to the natural world and gardening that is done respectfully and in tune with the seasons.

'The School of Garden Inspiration' will offer classes and workshops at Petersham, which have been devised by Thomas Broom-Hughes, director of horticulture.

Thomas said: "Part of our mission at Petersham Nurseries is to spread the word about slow, sustainable gardening in harmony with the seasons, so it's great to be doing just that as we get into the most exciting time of the year for gardeners."

The series begins on May 16 with 'A Celebration of Roses' (£250), which focuses on the quintessential English flower.

The morning begins with an introduction to growing roses and will cover everything from planting to pruning what is a notoriously high maintenance garden favourite.

Thomas spotlights Petersham Nurseries' best-loved rose varieties, including old-fashioned, beautifully scented favourites that flower just once a  year, as well as widely lauded modern shrub roses. 

He will introduce guests to the joys of arranging with homegrown roses and creating sumptuous tablescapes.

After a lunch of seasonal dishes, with a focus on quality ingredients and Italian flavours, the afternoon is devoted to culinary demonstrations including how to make rose jam and rose harissa.

On May 24, 'Stylish Summer Containers' (£75). Using perennial plants for a natural feel, as well as annuals for smaller containers such as window boxes and small pots, participants can learn how to recreate the wistfully wild and romantic planting style for which Petersham Nurseries is so well-known.

The workshop includes a light lunch of dishes based on Petersham Nurseries' philosophy of slow food, sourced responsibly and cooked simply to allow the lavours to shine through.

Next, 'Garden Gathered – A Celebration of British Flowers' (£120) coincides with British Flowers Week taking place on June 7.

The interactive session gives guests the opportunity to create their own distinctively styled bouquet filled with seasonal scent and colour, using British flowers from selected local growers as well as stems and foliage grown on-site.

Later in June, 'An Introduction to Slow Gardening' (£250) is centred around an ethical approach to the natural world. The day incorporates a light lunch and the chance to an edible bouquet, which includes borage, canendula, rocket flowers and flowering herbs.

In September, workshops include a celebration of dahlias and a last floral fling, while they conclude in October with a masterclass on creating an impact with houseplants.

www.petershamnurseries.com

The programme of events: -

16th May: A Celebration of Roses

24th May: Stylish Summer Containers

7th June: Garden Gathered - A Celebration of British Flowers

20th June: An Introduction to Slow Gardening

19th September: A Celebration of Dahlias

27th September: The Last Floral Fling - Stylish Autumn Containers

24th October: Creating Impact with Houseplants