VISITORS to the RHS Malvern Spring Festival, which starts tomorrow (Thursday May 5), can see BBC Blue Peter gardener Chris Collins nurture the next generation of gardening talent by championing the award-winning School Gardens Challenge.

Chris returns to the landmark gardening event for his third year as aspiring young gardeners from across the country are preparing to bring to life their show garden designs - 11 schools, including several local ones, are taking part in this unique area of the show.

This year’s School Garden theme commemorates the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.

Malvern Wells Primary School and Abberley Parochial VC Primary School in Worcestershire present the four key themes of Shakespeare’s works - tragedy, history, comedy and love.

Malvern Wells will showcase a garden entitled ‘All the World’s A Stage’, while Abberley Primary School will bring to life their design, ‘Where There’s A Will, There’s A Play’. Abberley’s garden is a celebration of four of Shakespeare’s landmark plays – Hamlet, Henry V, As You Like It and Romeo & Juliet.

Children from Pitmaston Primary School in Worcester will showcase Shakespeare’s famous Globe Theatre. The class from Tudor Grange Academy in Worcester will recreate a classic scene of Elizabethan life with a travelling theatre company entertaining local people.

Bredon School in Bushley looks to Macbeth as pupils showcase an eco-friendly garden entitled ‘Hubble Bubble’, with props made from recycled objects and ‘From Pen To Plot’ by Castlemorton C of E Primary School in Malvern also reflects the formal style of Elizabethan era.

Pupils of Cradley C of E Primary School in Herefordshire take inspiration from The Tempest. Their garden depicts a tempestuous storm with a recreation of Prospero stewing in his cave.

While the class of Sidemore First School, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, will create a design entitled ‘Bottoms Up!’ - bringing to life the story of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’.

Beoley First School in Redditch will showcase a design entitled ‘To Beoley or Not To Beoley’, a portrait of Shakespeare’s face.

The School Gardens Challenge is sponsored by BAM Construction and seeks to immerse young people in the vibrant world of horticulture. Horticulture naturally supports many subjects of the national curriculum: scientific, creative and physical. The project exposes children to the practical application of these in a hands-on and informative way.

Ken Nottage, Chief Executive Officer of Three Counties, said: “We never cease to be amazed by the originality and diversity that the School Gardens bring to RHS Malvern Spring Festival. This area of the show gives budding gardeners the chance to showcase their green fingered creativity and we’re so pleased to be welcoming Chris back to champion the challenge.

“The School Gardens Challenge broadens the horizons of school children by exposing them to careers that may not be covered in the classroom.”

Building of the school gardens began in April and takes approximately three weeks to complete. A panel of RHS experts will judge the gardens today (Wednesday May 4), the day before RHS Malvern Spring Festival opens to the public.