Floral Art at the Devon County Show

In one of the marquees at the Devon County Show we stumbled across the most incredible Floral Art, which reminded me of some of the exhibits I’ve seen at previous RHS Chelsea Shows.

With categories such as Ladies Day, Gold Cup, Out to Pasture, Winning Rosettes, Parade Ring it wasn’t hard to work out there was a horse racing theme! And all the exhibits far surpassed my ‘plonk it in a vase and tweak’ style of arranging flowers, these were as the competition’s name suggests pieces of Floral Art.

I snapped a few pictures of the ones which most appealed to me, and my view may or may not coincide with the more experienced judges, let me know which are your favourites.

A hat made from silvery and slightly furry leaves, adorned with greenery

LADIES DAY, JEAN ADAMS - SECOND PRIZE

A bouquet of flowers on green leaves with pink spiral shapes on a wicker head

LADIES DAY, HELEN HERRIDGE

An arrangment of yellow and white lillies with a circular rim on a polystyrene head

LADIES DAY, DIANNE WEST - THIRD PRIZE

Now wouldn’t any of those be fabulous to wear, hay fever aside?

An upright arrangement with yellows, purple and green flowers with upright cinnamon sticks at the base

OUT TO PASTURE, ANN TRIGG

A BASKET ARRANGEMENT WITH WISPY ALLIUMS AND LOVE IN A MIST

OUT TO PASTURE, HANNAH BEST - SECOND PRIZE

OUT TO PASTURE, HELEN HERRIDGE - THIRD PRIZE

THREE CIRCLES STRUNG TOGETHER DECORATED WITH TWINE AND TONING FLOWERS

WINNING ROSETTES, JEAN ADAMS - FIRST PRIZE

It was around this point that my favourites tended to align more with those of the judges, so I’m taking that to mean that one or both of us have an idea of what we like, and in the case of the judges the criteria for each category!

An arrangement with yellow bobble flowers around the basket edge with striking 'pointed' flowers and ferns in the centre

GOLD CUP, JUDITH WOOLLVEN - FIRST PRIZE

A vibrant arrangement with red, pink, yellow and orange flowers in a 'nest' like basket

PARADE RING, KATRINA HOLMES - FIRST PRIZE AND BEST IN SHOW

I told you they were all stunning didn’t I? I really enjoyed walking around and admiring the work that had gone into each and every one, but don’t worry, I know where my flower arranging skills are - and they are way, way below this! These ladies, or those entering competitions anywhere in the country, have nothing to fear from me!