Earlier this year I chanced upon a Spring Flower Show, run by the local Naul Garden and Flower Club, in the lovely setting of Ardgillan Castle – more here.
The scent and colour of Spring blossom was a welcome sight after the long winter.
But an even larger event is about to be staged in Dublin – the WAFA World Flower Show, “A Floral Odyssey”, from the 18th to the 22nd June, and promises to be a real treat.
I adore cut flowers, but readily admit I’m more of a gather-from-the-garden and place rustically in a vase variety.
So I really admire the artistry, skill and patience required to form a floral work of art.
We had a foretaste of the skill required and the sheer enthusiasm of flower arrangers in Ireland at the recent Bloom in the Park Garden Show, with the A.O.I.F.A. Floral Art competition display.These are some entries in the category “Voyage of Discovery”.
I like the use of colour and the “sails” on this floral voyager.
This is the stunning Gold Medal winner, “A Passage to India”.
There were orchids, roses, anthuriums, proteas and calla lilies amongst the exhibits in the “Fabulous Flora” category.
I’m not always a fan of pink and yellow together, but here it looks wonderful – the subtle pink of the anthuriums being intensified in the outer petals of the yellow roses.
As I stood back to admire each arrangement, pondering on the whys and wherefores of Medals awarded, fellow enthusiasts would happily engage in conversation as to the merits of each exhibit.
Flower arranging follows much of the same principles of garden design – balance, contrast, colour, proportion.
This is the first time Ireland has hosted the World Flower Show, the “Olympics of flower arranging”, which is held every three years.
Over the four days, 600 floral artists from 31 member countries will compete – truly a “Floral Odyssey”.
More information here.
Jardin 
The formal arrangements are stunning, but I have to confess that I still prefer your natural vase of flowers. I loved the Poppy and the Allium!
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Yes, a simple vase of country flowers is very soft and pretty.
Flower arranging is a very intense, artistic control of the material.
Perhaps like a cottage garden versus Versailles – both have their own appeal.
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I love the plethora of colors! 🙂 Magnificent arrangements, too!
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Yes, I think the colours are wonderful too. Glad you liked them.
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Gee — I can only wish I were so talented!
I’m with you entirely in your statement: “I adore cut flowers, but readily admit I’m more of a gather-from-the-garden and place rustically in a vase variety.”
Lovely pix and post; thanks for sharing.
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Thanks Cynthia. I really admire the talents of the flower arrangers too & am inspired to be a little more adventurous myself!
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I enjoy flower arranging myself. These arrangements were spectacular. I swear I could smell the sweet fragrances through my screen.
Honey
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Thanks Honey, great to hear from another flower arranger. The fragrance in the Exhibition Hall was as wonderful as the colour of the flowers!
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Très beaux bouquets !
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Merci Christiane .. et je suis d’accord!
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I really love your arrangement. It’s really pretty. The competition entries are all stunning and very professional. I can see why the “Passage to India’ won a Gold medal. 🙂
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Yes, the entries were lovely and I loved the stunning colours and shapes of the Gold Medal “Passage to India”.
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These arrangements are just amazing!!
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Thank you! I thought so too, beautiful use of colour and form.
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Beautiful arrangements!
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Thank you Nicki. I was really impressed by the skill and the use of colour in the arrangements.
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Lovely
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Thanks so much – glad you enjoyed it!
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You are welcome.
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Too much beautiful creations
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