New interactive display at Hamptom wows visitors
Between 8th-13th July at Hampton Court Flower Show, over 163,000 visitors enjoyed a host of delights brought to them by the Flowers & Plants Association, including designer demonstrations, an interactive 'Tree of Knowledge', the making of an Anglicised Colombian "Silettero", and a 'Bouquets of Emotion' feature.
The Flowers & Plants Association stand was based on their Summer theme 'Talking Flowers', a trend using flowers in an expressive, personal, meaningful way - perfect for the 'International Language of Flowers' theme of the marquee, and which won us a silver-gilt RHS medal.
On the Flowers & Plants Association's all-new demonstration stand, Taran Vernon showcased Indian ceremonial designs, Rosa Ashby showed modern design, Linda Dovey created typical Spanish designs, and Tracey Griffin, Hans Haverkamp and Sarah Horne demonstrated a range of European styles. The audience were wowed by the arrangements, which included a Spanish-style planted arrangement, a traditional Indian wedding lei, and a replica
of an award-winning wedding piece. "I love that!", one lady said about Linda's 'flowering' Yucca, the Spanish "combi".
Member Arena flowers sponsored the 'Bouquets of Emotion', and made innovative designs based on a variety of emotions, whether intensely passionate or scarily hopeless. Visitors loved the 'Stalker' bouquet, shaped like a pair of eyes, and the 'Mighty Macho' bouquet, featuring large-headed, tactile flowers (and, imaginatively, not an anthurium in sight!).
Visitors also enjoyed being photographed next to the Flowers & Plants Association's Colombian "Silettero", a huge floral backpack made by local flower growers in Medillin in Colombia, and paraded through the streets of the town. Our version, made by Writtle College tutors during the show, was most appropriate to the weather, being a huge floral umbrella.
The Flowers & Plants Association's 'Tree of Knowledge', displaying flower meanings, old wives tales, and interesting floral facts from around the world, inspired a great number of visitors to add their own personal meanings to the tree. See flowers.org.uk for a list of the meanings, and photographs from the event.
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