Flower power is something you can’t miss in Cornwall with gardens crammed with a profusion of colourful plants. Even in winter the climate is so mild that buds start to appear in the hedgerows in January so by the time spring comes that passion for gardening has awakened into a spate of flower festivals. This is one of the first held in the country.

The two-day event takes place in the magnificent grounds of Boconnoc House, an 18th century mansion owned by the Fortescue family, and features show gardens, horticultural trade stands and competitive classes.

A fragrant celebration of Cornish garden mania that welcomes spring with exuberant displays in the competitive classes with camellias, daffodils, rhododendrons and ornamental shrubs and trees guaranteeing a brilliantly colourful spectacle. Gardeners’ question time, live music, plenty of local food on offer and there’s even a plant crèche that will look after your purchases while you enjoy the rest of the show. In fact there’s something for all the family.

A list of famous and influential names from the world of horticulture will share their experience and knowledge at Cornwall Garden Society’s 2015 Spring Flower Show.

Celebrated gardener, journalist and TV personality, Joe Swift, will open the two-day event which will take place at the stunning Boconnoc Estate, Lostwithiel during the weekend of 28 and 29 March.

Joe, a presenter on BBC 2’s Gardeners World programme as well as many other gardening related series and events for the BBC, has also written several successful books and writes regular columns for both The Times and Gardener’s World Magazine. During the first day of the show he will deliver a masterclass on garden design, judge the Plantsman’s Award and preside over a Gardener’s Question Time event.

Anne Swithinbank, a regular on Gardener’s Question Time, will attend the show on Sunday. During the day she will also give a masterclass and deliver a talk.

This year will be the 103rd in the annual event’s history. As Cornwall’s answer to the Chelsea Flower Show, it is the perfect platform to showcase the very best examples of this county’s horticultural springtime beauty. There will be classes for Magnolia, Camellia, Rhododendron, daffodils, alpines, bulbs and pot plants, as well as classes for floral art, show gardens, trade stands and children’s entries.

The two day festival attracts around 8,000 visitors who come to see what Cornwall’s green fingers have on offer. A great place to pick up plants, marvel at the professional garden displays and ask the experts what would grow best in your garden. Easily accessible off the A390 Liskeard to St Austell road.

Tickets cost £6 in advance and £8 on the day. Cornwall Garden Society Members can buy advance tickets for £3.50 and are eligible for a £2.50 discount on the day.

The Boconnoc estate is home to around 100 deer and the house and grounds have been used as a location for the BBC ‘Poldark’ series and scenes from the 1993 film ‘The Three Musketeers’. It was also home to two former British Prime Ministers.