RHS judge selects plants for tropical planting experience
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting gardening fans along to its Edinburgh store to celebrate the start of summer with its ‘Planting and Afternoon Tea – Holiday Edition’ experience.
According to new research from Censuswide for Dobbies, 45% of Brits enjoy gardening because it gets them outdoors. This in-store experience at Dobbies’ Edinburgh store encourages people to take inspiration from holidays in tropical climates bringing sunny vibes to their garden planting.
Customers can now book the 90-minute event for Tuesday 16 or Saturday 20 July, at 3pm, which will combine the joy of hands-on creativity with the indulgence of a delicious Dobbies’ Afternoon Tea.
Attendees in Edinburgh will get to participate in an interactive workshop led by one of Dobbies’ horti experts with a Q&A and demo on the filler, thriller, and spiller planting technique, using a selection of tropical plants selected by RHS Chelsea Flower Show Chair of Assessors and Dobbies’ Senior Buyer, Claire Bishop.
With this knowledge, customers will then get the chance to create their own tropical planter (worth £30) to take home, using a pot specially selected to showcase the seasonal display.
Attendees will also get the chance to sit back, relax and enjoy a Traditional or Luxury Afternoon Tea at the Edinburgh store.
Guests can delve into three tiers of sweet and savoury treats, complemented by unlimited tea and coffee refills, with an option to upgrade the hot drink.
The Traditional Afternoon Tea offers an assortment of freshly made finger sandwiches, including smoked salmon with cream cheese, egg mayonnaise with watercress, and ham with rocket and wholegrain mustard.
Customers will also get to tuck into Dobbies’ famous scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and a delicious selection of sweet treats, including a rainbow meringue kiss and lemon mousse.
Guests also have the option to upgrade their booking with the Luxury Afternoon Tea offering for just £4 extra per person. This has all the loved items of an afternoon tea with an added touch of indulgence.
Delve into a selection of savoury favourites, including cheese and tomato quiche and a selection of elevated finger sandwiches, with smoked salmon, lemon mayonnaise and dill, cheddar cheese and green tomato chutney, and ham, rocket and wholegrain mustard.
Dobbies’ Senior Buyer, Claire Bishop, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching ‘Planting and Afternoon Tea – Holiday Edition’ at our Edinburgh store. It’s the perfect opportunity to ignite your passion for gardening and unwind with a delicious array of savoury and sweet delights.
“This session is all about bringing the vibrancy of your favourite getaway location to your garden as we celebrate the start of summer. Whether it’s the lush greenery of a tropical paradise or the colourful flowers of a European escape, we’ll guide you through creating your own planter with our recommended plants.”
Tickets for Dobbies’ ‘Planting and Afternoon Tea – Holiday Edition’ experience in its Edinburgh store are priced at £40 per person (with the planter valued at £30). Pre-booking is essential, visit www.dobbies.com/events.