THE 2012 Arts and Crafts Garden Festival at Coombe Trenchard continues to grow its eclectic schedule with new speakers, exhibitors and activities in preparation for its 'Best of British' themed jubilee weekend (June 1 and 2) celebration.

In partnership with Gardens Illustrated magazine, the festival will also host a range of 'Garden Talks', headlined by TV gardener and columnist Alys Fowler and a true 'Living Library' as Plant Heritage exhibit specimens from its National Plant Collections.

Within the Edwardian estate near Lewdown, Plant Heritage will be showcasing ten remarkable specimens from its national plant collections, a 'Living Library' of the nation's rich heritage of cultivated plants.

Plants on show for the public will include; water irises, agapanthus, sempervivums, betula, artemisia, hardy cyclamen, mentha, erythronium and rhodohypoxis. Visitors to this year's festival will also discover a host of respected plant nurseries and designer makers, personally invited to exhibit their skills and to collectively celebrate the Coombe Trenchard 'Arts and Crafts' resurgence.

In addition, there will be an array of new features, including show gardens, restoration and history tours and an 'Art in the Garden' exhibition.

The festival will play host to sumptuous home-cooked fair, from traditional Devonshire cream teas through to the giant paella pans of the theatrical Food Groove Café. Croquet and an eclectic mix of summer garden music will make for a magical jubilee garden party for all visitors.

Juliet Roberts, editor of Gardens Illustrated magazine said: 'Supporting the Coombe Trenchard Arts and Crafts Garden Festival 2012 gives Gardens Illustrated the opportunity to help champion specialist plant growers and artisans in the South West.

'We are especially delighted that some "friends" of the magazine are able to drop in and give some valuable gardening advice to visitors. In this wonderful, intimate setting guests will find exquisite plants, knowledgeable advice, beautifully hand-crafted products and gorgeous food. Why not come and join in the fun?'

Sarah Marsh, organiser of the festival, said: 'The interest in this year's festival has been tremendous. We are delighted with the standard of the exhibitors that are already confirmed, as well as the quality of plants which will be available to the public.

'We are also very happy with the range of topics being covered by our ever growing range of expert speakers, I am sure this section will prove hugely popular again this year.

'The festival will be a unique and "simply English" jubilee celebration of the gardening tradition, whilst bringing alive the ethos and values of the Arts and Crafts era, which we are passionate about.'

Alys Fowler, TV gardener and columnist said that having heard so much about the first Garden Festival at Coombe Trenchard, she was inspired to be invited to get involved.

'I am a great admirer of the Arts and Crafts era and I am very much looking forward to experiencing the Walter Sarel designed gardens whilst seeing the restoration work the Marsh family have been doing on the estate. With the jubilee celebrations, coupled with a fantastic "Best of British" theme, I'm sure we will all have a brilliant time in the beautiful Devon countryside.'