A poem last year about a giant, spiky plant from the Andes planted the seed of an idea … and now Write Out Loud’s regular performance poetry diarist, Mab Jones, has been appointed the first poet in residence at the National Botanic Garden of Wales. Mab, who recently represented Wales at a cultural festival in Japan, will be resident bard at the Garden from this weekend, the 21-22 April, just before Shakespeare’s birthday on the 23rd, and she will be offering readings and workshops over the weekend inspired by the great writer. She said: “The Garden is a place of great beauty, a wonderful setting which any poet would find inspiring. I hope to write my first collection there, as well as to help popularise poetry through regular readings and performance. It's going to be an amazing year!"

Last year Mab wrote a poem praising the Chilean puya, pictured, which bloomed for the first time in 11 years in the great glasshouse last year. The garden is at Llanarthney, just outside Carmarthen. There is also a bee garden, Japanese garden, bog garden, national nature reserve, and tropical house.

David Hardy, of the National Botanic Garden, said: “There has long been a link between poetry and nature, resulting in some of the greatest verse ever written. As an award-winning performance poet, Mab will also be using her charm and wit to engage with visitors, and encourage a love both of nature and of poetry. We are happy to give her a home in which to do that.”

You can follow Mab’s garden adventures on her blog and also keep an eye on the Garden website  for details of upcoming readings and events.