Fabulous floristry

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland was the theme for this year’s RHS Chelsea Florist of the Year in 2015

This year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show was not only the place to see amazing gardens, but fabulous floristry as well. As well as the Chelsea Florist of the Year, the show also hosted the Chelsea Young Florist of the Year and two Floral Arrangement competitions. Here are a few of the imaginative designs visitors were treated to in 2015.

Laura Leong of The Flower Fairie, received a Gold Medal and was named Chelsea Florist of the Year for her entry, a well-balanced tree that used the woody stems of mature clematis as pendulous branches. These were dotted with orchids and the dangling pitchers of Nepenthes in peachy tones, with lime green button chrysanthemum flowers provided exciting contrast.


Soft fronds of asparagus fern, dyed black supported a floral canopy of dusky pink Zantedeschia, Phalaenopsis and mauve sweet peas in this frothy entry by Laura Preedy of Lauraflora.


Emma Mooney of Flowerscene, used a piece of wonderfully gnarled wood which seemed to show the face of a cat at the base of her tree. Exotic blooms of starry red Gloriosa and Phalaenopsis dotted the tree trunk, while spikes of yellow and red Heliconia fell from the branches.


Gail Watson of Border Blooms,  created a skeleton tree decorated with deep red roses and orchids in shades of purple and turquoise. The vivid display was lightly dusted with playing cards made from skeleton leaves.


By building a tree from coloured willow stem topped by twisted hazel, Rebecca Tiller of Wild Orchids created a colourful frame to further decorate with flowers such as red Gloriosa and maroon tassles of Amaranthus for which she was awarded Silver-Gilt.


Ayana Shimazu of Writtle College, ‘framed’ her entry to show off a twisted, contorted, mossy tree trunk rising from a rich tapestry of closely packed blooms including green chrysanthemum, carnations, Allium and tiny red rose buds.


This arching, umbrella-like canopy was created by Kate Bainbridge of Simply Flowers and received a Silver-Gilt Medal. She used the twining stems of yellow Gloriosa, dangling fringing of lime Amaranthus, orange Anthurium and the striking pitchers of Nepenthes to create a graceful structure.


Sherrie Phelps of Lily Jones Florist, was awarded a Bronze Medal for her entry – a wizened old tree covered in ghostly Tillandsia, Asplenium ferns and wiry stems of passion flower, from which various animal faces peered out.

See all winners of the floristry awards

Chelsea Florist Awards
Hotel Floristry – Floristry College of the Year
RHS Young Chelsea Florist of the Year
Floral Arrangement First Session Awards
Floral Arrangement Second Session Awards