VISITORS at this year's Taunton Flower Show will be able to enjoy plenty of exhibitions from local traders within the popular floral marquee. 

The marquee features traders who mount magnificent displays of their flowers and plants and sales areas for shoppers to pick up some bargains. 

Their designer gardens are built especially for the show and are a fantastic way of showing what can be achieved in a small space and built in a matter of days. 

Horticultural enthusiasts will also be able to pick up advice from experts within the marquee, which is located next to the arena and competition marquee. 

Monkton Elm Garden Centre won the Bill Cridland Memorial Trophy for having the best exhibit in the floral marquee last year with its fantastic tribute to David and Luella Bellman, who founded the centre and made it what it is today.

This year, visitors to the marquee can expect to find a Monkton Elm garden with an uplifting theme focusing on the importance of green spaces for our mental health. 

A Monkton Elm spokesperson said: “Our display this year has an emphasis on the therapeutic aspects of gardening and how green spaces can improve wellbeing through tapping into our emotions.

“Visitors can expect some surprising and fantastic garden installations that promote varying themes, from sensory gardens to serene and dreamlike displays to vibrant and joyful spaces; our gardens can reflect the positivity of life and hope.”

Other local traders include Mike's Hostas, South West Orchid Society and Yalham Hayes Farm, which are based in Taunton.

Hewitt-Cooper Carnivorous Plants, which is headquartered near Glastonbury, will be bringing a range of easy-to-grow plants. 

Visitors will also be able to buy and learn about cacti and other succulents from the Somerset branch of the British Cacti and Succulent Society. 

Other traders will be coming to the show from neighbouring Devon and Dorset and as far afield as Bedfordshire and Kent.

They will be displaying and selling plants such as herbaceous perennials, ornamental grasses, roses, peonies and orchids.

Elsewhere, there will be stands selling the latest garden accessories, gadgets and machinery.

Taunton Flower Show returns to Vivary Park on August 4 and 5. For more features, interviews and flower show news, keep an eye on our website.