In addition to two fabulous Gardens, attractions for the festival include a plant fair, craft fair and food fair along with cookery demonstrations, trade stands, a gardeners’ questions forum, live entertainment and special guest appearance by BBC Radio Wales presenter Chris Needs.

Attractions at the Llanarthne venue include:

Popular chef Anthony Evans (of Stwffio! Fame) cooking up a storm in the demonstration kitchen;

The National Botanic Garden’s senior horticulturists Laura Davies and Jess Gould being put on the spot in question time chaired by Chris Needs and also featuring fuchsia expert Arthur Tickner

Quack Pack Music by super soprano Elin Wyn Lewis

Phil Dando’s Swing Band

The Potboilers

Triadl

Local choirs

Dancing by local schoolchildren,

The Wave/Swansea Sound radio station will be broadcasting live from Llanarthne on Saturday.

Head of operations at the National Botanic Garden Ray Butt is really looking forward to the Festival. He said: “There is such a lot going on, you are going to need your Festival ticket and the bus to get you back and forth between here and Aberglasney.

“The weekend event is going to be a real delight for all the senses and what a way to top off the first day with a fabulous evening concert in the Wonder of Wales."

Director of Aberglasney, Graham Rankin said: “The idea here is that you can take it easy and take your time to enjoy the stunning surroundings.

“The Garden will be almost at its peak, particularly the woodland area. Aberglasney has a wonderful reputation for its collection of woodland plants, including trilliums and orchids and of course the Ninfarium, the award-winning indoor garden,” he said.

Festival tickets are on sale now – either over the phone using Visa / Debit card. Tel: 01558 667000; or at the Gatehouse at both venues or by sending a cheque made payable to ‘The Garden of Wales Festival’ to: Carmarthenshire Tourist Association, National Botanic Garden of Wales, Llanarthne SA32 8HG.

The Garden of Wales Festival received funding for its marketing from the South West Wales Tourism Partnership. The food element of the Festival is supported by funding from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Carmarthenshire Tourist Association, Castell Howell and Carmarthenshire Council have also supported the event.

For more information, contact the National Botanic Garden of Wales press office on 01558 667130.