Flowers Galore at Southport Flower Show
- Su Whale
- Aug 15
- 2 min read
Gold for Southport College
Congratulations to Southport College Floristry Department for winning a gold medal for their Summer Gazebo exhibit at this year’s Southport Flower Show. Using only recycled materials, they created a laid back, relaxed scene of afternoon tea in the garden complete with a floral deckchair and cake. Even the flowery chandelier had been cleverly created using upturned plastic bottles with the bases cut off – a great idea for a summer window display!
The colourful deckchair has been made by carefully and precisely gluing flowers and foliage onto copper mesh, with a fabric support underneath. It took over four hours to make, a reminder of how attention to detail and good workmanship goes towards winning medals – in this case, Gold.
Tutor Jane Robbins, together with students from the college’s floristry department were kept busy making and handing out buttonholes. This gave them a valuable opportunity to chat to visitors, promote their course and show off their floristry skills.
Hugh Baird College
In the opposite corner of the buzzing Floral Art Marquee and also hard at work whizzing up buttonholes were floristry students and tutors from Hugh Baird College, Bootle. Their stand had a musical theme with some very inventive floral exhibits.
A colourful arrangement on a retro style record player and beautifully placed designs on a violin resting in its case were all conceived and made by the students.
Illustrating the discipline of wiring and how versatile that skill can be, was this wool jacket, decorated with floral jewellery. Open heads and buds of Singapore orchids and evergreen leaves have been glued to neat swirls of gold wire; all elegantly linked together with Typha grass.
It's always a thrill so see students involved in prestigious flower shows such as Southport. Not only is it an excellent opportunity for them to get out of the classroom and to have new experiences, but it also shows the general public the work and skill required in floristry and what an incredible art form it is.
Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over Thirty years' experience in the floristry industry. She is the author and publisher of three best-selling books: Cut Flowers, 4th edition (2020) Cut Foliage, 2nd Edition, (2021) and Houseplants (2019), all bookshelf essentials for the professional florist.
