National Flower Bed Competition

We've won gold again!

This year our entry celebrated our city’s entertainment heritage and connections, from the days of music hall and Gertie Gitanna to contemporary artists, such as Robbie Williams, hence the title of the display, “Let us entertain you!”.

What's in the design?

A decorative metal screen featuring cut-outs depicting theatre, music, film and literature divides two contrasting bedding displays, which aim to conjure up the worlds of music hall and contemporary stage.

The music hall has tiers of deep reds, oranges and yellow begonias and layers of velvety coleus, with the stage and curtains formed by the screen and footlights in bright yellow Cannas, bringing the atmosphere of the Victorian music hall to life.

The central screen panels depict literature, music and film, highlighting the city’s association with literary notaries, such as Arnold Bennett, the classical composer Havergal Brian and film and TV actors, such as Freddie Jones. A film reel winds down from the vertical screen to form a horizontal path planted in white impatiens separated by black rubber crumb dividing the two entertainment eras.

The contemporary side of the display contrasts with plantings of Purple / blue Salvia Victoria and silver / grey Cineraria. The circular stage area depicts spotlights shining onto a stage with Dichondria Silver falls recreating dry ice spilling off the stage.

Who's involved?

A team from the Landscape Architects Section translated the chosen theme into a three dimensional design complete with structural elements, hard landscape and all important bedding plants.

The city’s plants were delivered to Greenhouse 2000 at Festival Park, where our dedicated team grew on the plants ready for the display.

Take a look at the artist's impression, planting schedule and some plant photographs below. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the planting schedule. To download a free copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader please click here.

For more information about the RHS Flower Shows please use the link on the right to go to the Royal Horticultural Society's website. This will open up in a new window.