THE flatbed trucks and landscape gardeners' lorries have rolled on to the Three Counties Showground at Malvern as preparations begin for the first major outdoor horticultural event of 2014. Building of the record number of show gardens has begun ready for the re-named RHS Malvern Spring Festival, formerly Malvern Spring Gardening Show, which runs from May 9-12. With more show gardens than ever before, visitors will be treated to an abundance of beautifully designed spaces and perfect planting schemes.

Nina Acton, RHS Malvern show development officer, said: “We are really excited about the show gardens this year. With a record number of 13 gardens we will be awash with beautiful plants and inspirational designs. We can’t wait.”

Although there is an open brief for the show gardens this year, an unofficial theme has emerged which reflects the changes in the 2014 event. Food and drink feature prominently in many of the gardens with designs including a Balearic beach haven complete with Paella hut, a fruity forager's fantasy full of edible goodies and a leafy sanctuary perfect for kicking back with a glass of your chosen vintage.

The School Gardens Challenge has also seen a record number of applications with 21 educational establishments taking part. The entrants range from play groups to home schooled groups and in age from pre-schoolers to school leavers. RHS Malvern is the first major gardening show of the season and over the past few years has become renowned for showcasing the hottest new trends in garden design and planting. Many big names in the garden design world took their first steps at RHS Malvern, including Chris Beardshaw, Paul Hervey-Brookes and Diarmuid Gavin.

Tickets are now on sale. Advanced tickets are priced from £14.50 for RHS and TCAS members and from £15.50 for non-members. Tickets available on the gate from £18. For more information on ticket prices, visit www.threecounties.co.uk/rhsmalvern