There is a fantastic line up of Speakers for our 2026 Garden Fair across Friday and Saturday.
Scotland Grows' Garden Theatre
Scotland Grows publisher, M.T. O'Donnell, and host of our 'In Conversation' programme in this year's Scotland Grows' Garden Theatre said, "Scotland Grows is proud to be part of the continued development of Scone Palace Garden Fair. Having supported the show since its inception, it has been wonderful to see it grow and strengthen as a leading event in Scotland’s gardening calendar.
This year's talks and demonstration programme once again offer expert insight, and the opportunity for gardeners to ask questions and take home practical advice for their own gardens. It is a wonderful event for sharing knowledge, celebrating plants, and bringing the Scottish gardening community together.”
Friday 29th May
11am - 'Scotland’s Love Affair with Meconopsis'
Matthew Edwards ,The Meconopsis Group
Do you grow Meconopsis in your garden?
We are the envy of our more southerly neighbours when it comes to these iconic blue
poppies. Scotland’s cool, damp climate suits them beautifully, and you can see some
stunning examples in the grounds of Scone Palace during the Garden Fair. Garden access
is included with your ticket, so do take a wander and see them for yourself.
Join Meconopsis specialist Matthew Edwards of The Meconopsis Group and horticulture
tutor at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, in conversation with M.T. O’Donnell, publisher of
Scotland Grows magazine, as they explore why these Himalayan treasures thrive here,
the conditions they truly need, and how to grow them successfully at home.
Matthew will also share insights from The Meconopsis Group’s appearance at RHS
Chelsea and his forthcoming trip to see Meconopsis growing in the wild in the Himalayas.
Come armed with your questions and discover why Scotland and Meconopsis are such a perfect match.
12pm - Designing Gardens for Scotland - What really works
Garden Designers, Katie Reynolds and Joanne Evans
Gardens in Scotland have to cope with a lot. Wind, rain, changing seasons, difficult soil,
and the challenge of making a space look good all year round. How do you design a
garden that not only looks beautiful, but actually works in our climate?
Join garden designers Katie Reynolds of Katie Reynolds Design Ltd. and Joanne Evans of
Gerbera Designs in conversation with M.T. O’Donnell, publisher of Scotland Grows
magazine, as they share their experience of designing gardens across Scotland in all
kinds of settings, from coastal properties and country homes to town gardens and public
spaces.
Katie Reynolds trained at KLC School of Design and the National Design Academy and
runs a design studio based in Aberdeenshire, creating cohesive indoor and outdoor
spaces tailored to each client. Joanne Evans holds an HNC in Garden Design from
Scotland’s Rural College, and is an accredited member of the Association of Professional
Landscapers.
Together they will discuss how to design gardens that suit Scotland’s climate, how to make
the most of your space, and the common mistakes people make when planning their
outdoor areas.
Whether you are starting from scratch or looking to improve an existing garden, this
practical and inspiring panel will offer ideas you can take home and use.
2pm - Why Scotland’s Gardens Matter More Than Ever
Jackie Bird, President of the National Trust for Scotland
Gardens and green spaces are part of what makes Scotland special, from great historic landscapes to the gardens we care for at home. As our climate, countryside, and communities change, their importance has never been greater.
Join one of Scotland's best-known broadcasters, Jackie Bird, President of the National Trust for Scotland, in conversation with M.T. O'Donnell, publisher of 'Scotland Grows' magazine, for a thoughtful and entertaining discussion about Scotland's landscapes, heritage and the places that shape us.
After more than thirty years presenting BBC’s ‘Reporting Scotland’, and being the face of
Scotland’s ‘Children in Need’ telethon for 25 years, Jackie was made an MBE for services to
broadcasting and charity in 2025.
Jackie now champions the protection of the nation’s historic places and natural environments
through her work as President of the National Trust for Scotland and will reflect on the gardens and
landscapes she has encountered throughout her career, why they matter so deeply to us, and what
we can all do to help protect them for future generations.
Q&A Panel
Saturday 30th May
12pm - How to keep Orchids Alive
Julianne Robertson
Orchids have a reputation for being fussy, fragile and frankly a little intimidating. According
to Julianne Robertson however, they are far more forgiving than we think.
Author of ‘How To Keep This Alive: Orchids’, Julianne joins M.T. O’Donnell, publisher of
Scotland Grows magazine, for a lively conversation that will change how you see these
elegant plants.
From the Victorian craze for orchid hunting to the fascinating biology that makes them so
unique, Julianne will uncover the stories behind one of the world’s most captivating
houseplants. Most importantly, she will share straightforward, confidence-boosting advice
on how to care for your orchid properly so it not only survives, but thrives and re-flowers
year after year.
Whether you have a supermarket Phalaenopsis on your windowsill or an expanding indoor
collection, come along with yo
1pm - 45 Years in Horticulture
Carole Baxter
As the first female presenter on the ‘Beechgrove Garden’, Carole Baxter helped open the
door for women in horticultural broadcasting and became one of Scotland’s most trusted
gardening voices.
Join Carole in conversation with M.T. O’Donnell, publisher of Scotland Grows magazine,
as she reflects on 45 years in horticulture - from the early days of television gardening to
how Scotland’s gardens, tastes, and challenges have evolved.
Expect behind-the-scenes stories from Beechgrove, lessons learned from a lifetime
working with plants, and Carole’s honest take on what really matters in a Scottish garden
today. She will share the moments that shaped her career, the changes she has witnessed
in the industry, and the advice she would give to the next generation of gardeners.
A true trailblazer, this promises to be a warm and inspiring celebration of the remarkable
career of Carole Baxter.
2pm - Scotland's Weather and Your Garden
Sean Batty
Gardeners may love their plants, but we talk about the weather just as much. From late frosts and prolonged rain to warmer winters and shifting seasons, our gardeners are often the first place we notice the change.
Join Scotland’s best-known weatherman, Sean Batty, meteorologist and weather presenter for STV, in conversation with M.T. O’Donnell, publisher of Scotland Grows magazine, as they explore what Scotland’s evolving weather patterns really mean for gardeners. A familiar face delivering the nation’s forecasts for nearly two decades, Sean will share stories from some of the most dramatic and memorable weather events he has covered, while offering insight into how Scotland’s climate is shifting and what gardeners can do to adapt.
Sean will also talk about his own passion for wildlife gardening, creating a forest haven to
support nature, and introduce his new educational initiative, The Met Academy, which
helps children and families across Scotland better understand weather and climate
through hands-on observation. Copies of the calendar will be available on the day, giving
families and schools the opportunity to take part in the second half of this year’s real-time
weather adventure.
If you have ever wondered whether our seasons are truly changing, and what that might
mean for your garden in the years ahead, this promises to be a fascinating and timely
conversation
Q&A Panel
POTTING SHED TENT
The Potting Shed Tent is back for another weekend of expert talks and demonstrations from the best in horticulture.
The scheule for 2026 will be available soon - here is last years for a flavour of what you can expect!
Friday 29h May
11.30 Carole Baxter & George Anderson from the Beechgrove Garden
12.30 Jim Jermyn, Trellis
13.30 Scottish Chrysanthemum & Dahlia Society
14.30 David Austin Roses
Saturday 30th May
11.30 Kirsty Wilson & Lizzie Schofield from the Beechgrove Garden
12.30 Scottish Basketmakers’ Circle
13.30 Scottish Bonsai Association
14.30 Scottish Association of Flower Arrangement Societies
