TWO of the UK's most celebrated plant hunters — whose clients include The Queen —  will be sharing the secrets of their expeditions to the mountains of northern Vietnam in this year's Fortescue Garden House Lecture organised by The Garden House in Buckland Monachorum. 

Horticultural enthusiasts can expect to be enthralled by Bleddyn and Sue Wynn-Jones' colourful tales of their search for rare and new plants found in this incredible and beautiful part of the world, yet are hardy enough to grow in the UK.

Their fascinating talk — to be held at the Plymouth Postgraduate Medical Centre at Derriford Hospital on April 17 — will focus on their most recent expedition to the forest region, which they have visited seven times since 1999. They will also describe the terrain and the rich culture that abounds throughout the area, thanks to the many hill tribes that inhabit it.

Lecture organiser Sue Allen said: 'From their unique and much celebrated plant nursery on the edge of Snowdonia to their plant collecting expeditions to some of the world's most remote locations, the expertise and exploits of both Bleddyn and Sue are well documented — and they really need no introduction to those with a passion for plants.

'It promises to be an evening of adventure and discovery from two of this country's most knowledgeable and experienced globe-trotting plant hunters and we are delighted to be able to welcome them to Devon.'

Plant hunting expeditions are a way of life for the couple who spend up to three months of the year searching for the exotic, the amazing and the wonderful in some of the remotest corners of Asia, the Americas and also parts of Europe.

They are among a small number of specialists in the UK permitted to collect seeds and plants which they take back to their unique nursery, Crûg Farm Plants near Caernarfon in North Wales, which specialises in herbaceous perennials, climbers and shrubs.

Today, the nursery is home to hundreds of plants, many of which have never been cultivated in the West before. They have been propagated from more than 16,000 seed and plants collections the couple have gathered from 60 plus expeditions and range from Anemone to Zelkova, as well as a wealth of wonderful plant life in between.

Their expertise is much sought after and with their incredible array of plants across almost 20 acres, little wonder then that the nursery has become a Mecca for keen gardeners. They have provided plants for a number of prestigious clients – not least Her Majesty, The Queen – as well as several award winning flower show gardens, including RHS Chelsea.

The lecture starts at 7.30pm. To book tickets call 01822 854769.

• The Fortescue Garden lecture was inaugurated eight years ago to celebrate the vision of Lionel Fortescue, who started to create his now-famous garden back in the 1940s.