Beechgrove Garden stars to return for 2025 Southport Flower Show

Carole Baxter and George Anderson of BBC’s Beechgrove Garden were such a hit at this year’s Southport Flower Show that they are the first special guests confirmed for next year!

They will be visiting on Friday 15^th and Saturday 16^th August 2025.

Carole and George said:

“We had heard a lot about Southport Flower Show over the years, but nothing prepared us for the most wonderful welcome. We loved our time at the show and chatting to all the visitors. The show gardens and displays were spectacular, we can’t wait to visit again next year.”

Carole Baxter was born and brought up in Loose a small village near Maidstone in Kent. Carole gained her degree from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Sussex and studied Amenity Horticulture at Elmwood College, Cupar in Fife.

She has been a professional horticulturist since 1979. From 1983 to 1995 she was the ‘behind the scenes’ gardener for the Beechgrove Garden, BBC Scotland and since 1986 she has been one of the presenters for this gardening programme.

Carole is now a self-employed Horticulturist, Broadcaster and Writer. She is a member of the Professional Gardeners’ Guild and in 2013 she was awarded the SHM (Scottish Horticultural Medal). From 2016 to 2024 she was a member of the Board of Trustees for the Horticultural Charity Perennial. Her interests include developing her own 8-acre garden and she enjoys walking.

George Anderson was born and brought up in East Lothian the eldest son of a smallholder and market gardener. He left school at 16 and started work as a gardener’s boy in a local estate walled garden. He attended Edinburgh and East of Scotland Agriculture college and studied horticulture. He also worked in commercial nursery and tomato houses in the Clyde Valley for two years.

In 1966, George joined the student course at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and studied Amenity and Ornamental Horticulture. He then joined the staff of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in 1969 followed by Wolverhampton Teachers Training College and gained the Certificate in Education.

Additionally, he was appointed Higher Scientific Officer in the School of Horticulture at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Eventually, he became the Head of the School of Horticulture and retired in 2004. He was a trustee and Council member of the RHS for 10 years, chaired various committees and was President of The Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society (The Caley).

He was also awarded the Scottish Horticultural Medal in 2007, an MBE for services to Horticulture Training in 2005 and in 2023 he received The Founders Award for services to Horticultural Training from the Professional Gardeners Guild.

George joined the presenter team of Beechgrove in 2005. George is interested in trout and salmon fishing, walking, gardening and allotmenteering, wildlife, and travel.

Next year’s Southport Flower Show will be held at the wonderful Victoria Park on Thursday 14^th to Sunday 17^th August 2025.