Rivers of Flowers fill Salisbury Cathedral
- Su Whale
- May 20
- 2 min read
It’s estimated that over 12,000 flower lovers, floral enthusiasts and locals will have visited Salisbury Cathedral’s Flower Festival, The Spirit of Water. The 500 strong team of arrangers involved flower clubs from all over the south-west, local communities, businesses and artists, who between them have created some incredible and memorable pieces under the guidance of Michael Bowyer MBE, the Festival’s director.
Due to their vast size and height, cathedrals are incredibly difficult spaces to fill effectively, but the challenge was met with skill, gusto and some technical aerial mechanics with good use being made of the space above as well as on ground level.
Visitors were encouraged to follow a floral trail of over 60 exhibits, spread out across the whole expanse of the building – no area was left undecorated – with arrangements and constructions interpreting water in all its forms; running, still, frozen, wild and tamed.
Highlights included the impressive ‘Canopy of the Heavens’ a collection of white umbrellas suspended high above the heads of visitors, strung with lengths of organza ribbon and dried blue and pink larkspur.
On a smaller scale, but no less striking, were a series of stately colour coordinated urns on plinths running the length of the nave, filled with gorgeous, large headed Hydrangea and tall Delphiniums.
Beyond them, over the High Altar crashed a ‘wave’ of willow, its frothy foam edge depicted by trails of white Phalaenopsis. There was even space to incorporate a full-sized, reclaimed lock gate complete with running water – a feature last used in a garden at Chelsea Flower Show. Now, that’s not something you see in your average church flowers.
Salisbury Cathedral is committed to working sustainably, so there was a complete absence of floral foam, in its place were a number of ingenious solutions, and not just limited to chicken wire and grave spikes.
In total, 30,000 stems of flowers and foliage were used, all of which were in superb condition. Well done to Southeast Flowers, who were proudly sponsoring their third festival at the cathedral.
And congratulations to all involved on producing such a professional, thought provoking and thoroughly enjoyable flower festival.
Su Whale is a florist and freelance writer with over twenty-five 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.
