THE annually anticipated floral spectacular, RHS Flower Show Cardiff will return to the city this April, embracing Wales’ Year of Legends, 2017 with a host of themed gardens and features to spark the imagination.

The Flower Show – which is organised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) in partnership with Cardiff Council – will this year take place from Friday, April 7, to Sunday, April 9, and will once again fill the beautiful Bute Park with all things floral.

Encouraging visitors to embrace this year’s magical, mystical theme – and inspiring showgoers to experience the rich history of Welsh legends and their connection to the surrounding landscape – featured show gardens will include Bridgend College’s ‘Y Meudwyaeth’, inspired by the Blackfriars monastic site and heritage, as well as Chris Myers’ homage to Blodeuwedd, a mythical woman made from flowers who, legend has it, was turned into an owl as punishment for trying to murder her husband.

It’s fair to say that Gwent has a few of its own legends and tales to tell including in Caerleon,which is known as the ‘City of Legions’ by early Arthurian authors such as Geoffrey of Monmouth. Local legend says that after the Romans left Britain, Arthur set up his lavish court at Caerleon before the days of Camelot.

Stories of King Arthur holding court at Caerleon stretch back further still to the oral traditions set down in the Mabinogion.

Macmillan Cancer Support will return to the show with a contemplative garden focusing on the theme of ‘legacy’, and gardener Daniel Bodin will create a modern garden with a historical twist to encapsulate Welsh heritage and traditions.

Other features will include giant wicker bug sculptures, the ever-popular schools’ wheelbarrow competition, demonstrations and live workshops, bushcraft and live animals.

Continuing the ongoing success of the RHS Greening Grey Britain campaign, visitors will be encouraged to ‘Take a Walk on the Wild Side’ – learning how to transform their grey areas into a green paradise for all sorts of insects and animals, and help halt the current decline of Britain’s wildlife. There will also be a whole host of wildlife-themed children’s activities including den building, tree climbing, a children’s trail, seedbomb making and bug-hotel workshops.

Nurseries from across the UK can be found in the Floral Marquees and Plant Village with displays bursting with fresh planting ides for the year ahead.

The Museum of Wales will also be at the show with a ‘Welsh Wood and Woodlands’ display, telling the story of the diversity of Welsh woodlands, both historically and today. The museum holds huge collections of plant fossils that are hundreds of millions years old, and will be giving visitors the opportunity to try their hand at fossil hunting.

Last year’s show was a record breaker with more than 26,000 visitors who got to see a floral celebration of Roald Dahl during his centenary year. Show manager Rose Gore-Browne said the RHS team are busy gearing up for this year’s event.

She said: “Last year’s show – with its Dahl-inspired themes – proved such a hit, and we wanted to come back with something equally as impressive to wow showgoers.

“The Welsh Myths and Legends theme is certainly set to create some really imaginative show stoppers.

“There really will be something for everyone and, with even more exciting plans to be announced very soon, watch this space.”

Opening times:

Friday, April 7 and Saturday, April 8: 10am – 5.30pm

Sunday, April 9: 10am – 4.30pm (plant sell off 4pm)

Advance tickets: £10.00 (RHS members £9) On the day: £13 (RHS members £11)

Children free (under16)

For more information or to buy advance tickets for the RHS Flower Show Cardiff visit rhs.org.uk/cardiff.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to the RHS Flower Show just answer the following question: What is the theme for this year’s RHS Flower Show Cardiff? Send your answer, name, address and contact details on a postcard to RHS Flower Show Competition, Samantha Newman, South Wales Argus, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP20 3QN. Terms and Conditions at southwalesargus.co.uk/competitions. Closing date: April 1