Design a Flower Show Garden!

Ever wanted to put your green fingered talents to the test by designing a show garden? Well now you can. For we’re giving local gardening clubs, horticultural,  allotment and associate bodies the chance to blossom  at this year’s Shrewsbury Flower Show

We’re throwing down the gauntlet to amateur horticultural groups within our circulation area to design and create a special themed garden within the show’s massive Quarry Marquee on Friday and Saturday 15 and 16 August.

Show organisers Shropshire Horticultural Society have generously allocated a 4 metre x 6 metre island site under canvass where the winning design will be built by the club’s members and admired by the tens of thousands of visitors flocking to this blooming great riverside show.

HELPING HAND OF £750

To make the going easier we’ll be throwing in a £750 cash prize to the winners to help purchase any additional planting stock or requirements to help bring their design to life.

There’s also a commemorative crystal rose bowl to keep in the trophy cabinet too.

THINK COMMUNITY

Shrewsbury Flower Show’s success is largely due to the fact that its retained its local flavour over the years.  It proudly showcases local skills and talents and is a major pull for local families looking for a great day out.

It’s all about ‘Community’ – and that’s the theme of the competition.

We’re looking for cleverly crafted garden designs that are original, inspirational and creative in their interpretation of this year’s theme.

REMEMBER – your island garden plot will measure 4m x 6 m (13ft x 19ft). It will be board edged and you’ll be supplied with sand,gravel and ground bark – the rest is up to you.

THE JUDGES

Star gardening guru Martin Ford will be joined by Duncan Batten of award winning Elliots Classic Landscapes of Westbury, Shrewsbury. Team leader of the Best in Show Garden at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1992, Duncan’s company is three times winner of the best outside garden at the Shrewsbury Flower Show.

HOW TO ENTER

Don’t panic! We don’t need fully detailed scaled plans. Simply send us an A3 size concept sketch or outline design together with a brief planting guide showing us how you’ve interpreted the theme of ‘ community’. Give us an idea too of how many members will be involved in the project. Your entry must be accompanied by the completed entry form below on behalf of your society, club or association

CLOSING DATE FOR ENTRY: Monday 2 June 2008

DESIGN A FLOWER SHOW GARDEN
Entry Form (click on the form for a full-size version to print out):

Send this completed form together with an A3 outline design/concept sketch and brief planting guide to: Design A Flower Show Garden, Star Promotions, Shropshire Star, Ketley, Telford TF1 5HU by Monday 2 June.

Rules: The competition is open to amateur gardening clubs, horticultural, allotment and associate societies based within the circulation area of the Shropshire Star. Winners are responsible for transporting their total exhibit to and from the show and must comply with the show’s regulations. The judges decision is final and no correspondence can be entered into.

LET’S GO FOR GOLD….AGAIN!

Winners of last year’s first ever Design a Flower Show Garden competition was the Gatacre Allotments and Gardens Society of Oswestry.  Aimed at widening the “community” of gardeners their winning design walked off with a gold medal at the first attempt!