Unique Chance to Explore Whartons Garden Roses in Aid of Hospice
Whartons Garden Roses is taking part in St Elizabeth Hospice’s Great Garden Trail 2026 offering a unique opportunity to discover the stunning range of roses grown by the UK’s largest rose grower.
Taking place on 4 and 5 July at Whartons Garden Roses in Rushall, near Diss, the open weekend offers the chance to explore 1.5 million roses in bloom across a 70-acre field at the wholesale nursery, which is not usually open to the public, with more than 300 varieties of roses on display to be enjoyed.
The event forms part of St Elizabeth Hospice’s Great Garden Trail 2026, a much-loved annual initiative which sees more than 50 gardens across the region open their gates for the public to visit and enjoy throughout the summer in aid of the hospice’s services.
Running from February to September, The Great Garden Trail features a wide variety of gardens, from those supported by whole villages to beautiful hidden gems, all welcoming visitors in return for a donation to the independent Suffolk charity which supports patients and families living with life-limiting and progressive illness.
Kelly Nekrews, community fundraiser at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We are so pleased to welcome Whartons Garden Roses to The Great Garden Trail for the first time, offering a special opportunity to see their beautiful collection of roses.
“It will be a real treat for Great Garden Trail enthusiasts to enjoy, while also raising vital funds to support our services across the local community at a time in people’s lives when support matters most.”
A third-generation family-owned nursery, Whartons Garden Roses has been cultivating roses in the Waveney Valley since 1947.
Visitors to the event, which runs from 10am to 5pm each day with final admission at 3pm, will also be able to purchase items from St Elizabeth Hospice retail and Thompson & Morgan trade stands.
Paul Wharton, from Whartons Garden Roses, said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in this year’s Great Garden Trail. We look forward to welcoming visitors to our rose fields to experience the colour and spectacle of the roses in full bloom while also raising as much as possible for St Elizabeth Hospice and its services.”
Tickets are only available online on a first come first served basis. Parking is £2 per vehicle and can be purchased when booking tickets online.
Entry is not included in Season Pass; however Season Pass holders receive 10% discount for this event.
A full list of locations and dates of the gardens taking part in the trail can be found by visiting by clicking the below button.
If you would like to learn more please contact the Community Fundraising team at [email protected] or call 01473 727 776
