This year was our first year of working with the Harrogate Flower Shows team and we are delighted to report that this year’s show was a huge success.
Thousands of visitors enjoyed the stunning blooms and giant vegetables at this year’s Harrogate Autumn Flower Show where enthusiasts enjoyed a bumper crop of awards.
Our client Newby Hall and Gardens, Ripon was the magnificent setting for the show, organised by North of England Horticultural Society (NEHS) and held between 13-15 September.
Now in its fourth year at Newby Hall and its 48th year since it was established in 1976, the show attracted thousands of visitors over the three days as well as hundreds of exhibitors, competitors and volunteers.
Taking centre stage this year were magnificent floral displays, delicious produce, expert gardening advice, along with live talks and cookery demonstrations.
The crowds were drawn to the Incredible Edible Pavilion to witness fiercely contested giant fruit and veg competitions where there was a record number of entries across the categories.
Stephen Purvis, from County Durham, won the coveted giant onion competition with his 7.6 kg (16.755 lb) specimen which was not quite enough to beat last year’s world record-breaking win of 8.9kg (19.7lb). Stephen also won the heaviest leek category with an impressive 8.960 kg exhibit.
The standard of entries in the Grand Floral Pavilion was something to behold with a record number of premier golds awarded in the traditional classes. There were spectacular displays of colourful dahlias, gladioli and carnations from specialist plant societies while dozens of top tier nurseries did a roaring trade selling hydrangeas, rudbekia and astrantia.
Best in show went to Plantagogo with its display of heucheras and tiarellas. The company has been exhibiting for over 25 years at the show while dozens of nurseries have been exhibiting for over 20 years. A number of long service medals were awarded this year.
Visitors to the show also enjoyed Newby Hall’s award-winning gardens as well as stunning floral art installations within historic Newby Hall itself. Many of the creations were designed by students from local colleges keen on progressing careers in floristry.
Florist Charlotte Foster-Lill, 24, from Malton, dressed Newby’s Tapestry Room with dried and artificial flowers while outside she created a beautiful display on the hall’s front law using plants and fresh flowers.
Harrogate Flower Shows Director Nick Smith said: “This year was our biggest celebration of all things horticultural with over 200 exhibitors alongside 1,000 competitors across every category from dahlias and gladioli to cabbages and beetroot.
“The weather was largely kind especially on our opening day. Gardeners and horticulturalists from across the UK joined us at a show which proves year on year to be an inspirational weekend for gardeners of all abilities.”
The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show is one of two flower shows hosted annually by the NEHS, with the Spring Flower Show taking place in Harrogate in April. The team also delivers horticultural community activities as part of its charitable work and last year’s Autumn Flower Show committed over £163,000 to support the work of specialist societies and groups, and charitable horticultural organisations.
