5,000 multi coloured dahlias are now on display around what could be described as the oldest rockery in England!
The flowers that were once the height of chic in the mid-Victorian times. Now make up a recreation of an event at Stonehenge this weekend!
During the 1840s, Stonehenge hosted popular dahlia shows. Attracting crowds of thousands of people.
The Grand Stonehenge Dahlia Show. Which runs until Sunday 29 September.
Those historic shows involved a variety of competitions. Including the creation of sculptures made entirely from flowers. And chance to show off the colourful prize-winning blooms.
Stonehenge Grand Dahlia Show Second Time
Over the next few days English Heritage is hosting the Grand Dahlia Show. Thus recreating the historic floristry events which began in Wiltshire in the 1840s.
Florists have created many intricate 3D sculptures. All made from many dahlia varieties. Also showing current visitors what would once have been worn to attend the event.
Local members of the National Dahlia Society will also showcase their blooms in a traditional flower show.
Time Will Tell Theatre member. At The Grand Stonehenge Dahlia Show.
You can also meet the Victorian visitors from the Time Will Tell Theatre each day.
Perhaps have a go at using Victorian plate camera. Photography techniques taught by Frank Menger from Bristol University. Or make your own cyanotype dahlia prints with him.
Frank Menger. With his wooden half-plate camera
They hope visitors will dress to impress. Just as the Victorian visitors would have done.
Flowers Around The Giant Rocks of Stonehenge
A local Wiltshire brass band the Shrewton Silver Band will be performing. Filling the visitor centre on with many splendid toe tapping tunes.
The researchers at English Heritage say. That it would be impossible to exaggerate the popularity of dahlias in 1842.
Spectacular floral displays at Stonehenge.
Native to Mexico and mountainous regions of South America. Dahlias were named after the Swedish botanist Anders Dahl.
They first arrived in Britain in 1798.
The earliest dahlias to flower in England were just single blooms. However, the trend for hybridization eventually fashioned double blooms. And with further experimentation they started producing dozens of different varieties.
Finishing touch to one of the displays at Stonehenge.
Leading to flowers with an endless selection of colours and shapes. Then saw dahlias prove to be highly attractive as cut flowers. And also for competition exhibits too.
Grand Day Out At Stonehenge Dahlia Show
A local newspaper reported in 1842, that the dahlia show was attended by: “most of the fashionables of the neighbourhood” including “elegantly dressed ladies”.
The Grand Stonehenge Dahlia Show. Sees spectacular floral displays. Portraying the dahlia shows of Victorian times.
Also the first Stonehenge dahlia show was reported as being. “That barely a conveyance remained in Salisbury by midday.”
Sophie Powell florist from UFLO and Garden Historian Emily Parker. Pose for a photo with the floral dress display at Stonehenge.
This was of course was prior. To the first train transporting a regular influx of excursionists to arrive in Salisbury. Which was in fact some years later in 1847.
With the popularity of Stonehenge then on the rise. The obsession with dahlias waned. Interests in dahlias revived. With the rediscovery of single varieties in the 1870s.
And was ensured by the formation of the National Dahlia Society in 1881.
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