Dobbies in Shepton Mallet has launched a £15 "Sensory Garden" bulb set to raise funds for Alzheimer's Research UK, with £5 from every sale going straight to the charity.

The limited-edition collection, launched for World Alzheimer's Month, includes bold Allium Purple Rain, fragrant Narcissus Bridal Crown, and vibrant Tulips in Blushing Apeldoorn and Purple Rain varieties. The goal is to raise £10,000 - enough to fund up to 278 hours of dementia research in the lab.

Since March, Dobbies has already raised nearly £30,000 for Alzheimer's Research UK through various fundraising drives.

Paul Glazier, head of corporate partnerships at the charity, said: "If nothing changes, one in two of us will be directly affected by dementia. This beautiful bulb collection is doing just that, with money from each pack being donated to our cause."

The campaign also highlights the benefits of gardening for brain health. Dobbies' Think Brain Health campaign promotes gardening as a way to stay physically active, socially connected and mentally stimulated.

Claire Bishop, senior plant buyer at Dobbies, shared her top tip: autumn is the perfect time to plant spring-flowering bulbs. Choose a sunny, well-draining spot—beds, borders or containers—and plant bulbs at twice their depth, spaced a few inches apart, then water well.

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