The display was a highly theatrical three-dimensional display based on the Bournemouth motto ‘Pulchritudo et Salubritas’ – Latin for ‘beautiful & Healthy’ and encompasses past and present Bournemouth. The 10mx10m display featured five giant pieces of fruit and vegetables made out of cut flowers measuring 3 metres high. These nestled in a giant willow basket which was surrounded by real fruit and vegetables supplied by Somerfield spelling out the well-known phrase ‘5 a day’.

Circling this were three sections depicting ‘work, rest and play’ planted in carpet bedding with points of the compass facing North, South East and West. The different sections included the historic crest of Bournemouth, a typical beach scene with giant deck chair and finally a hand crafted sand sculpture depicting a surfer riding a Bournemouth wave.

Bournemouth & Poole College Floristry Department were invited to help with the Bournemouth design and their students immediately jumped at the chance of putting their new skills into practice. The student’s main role was to create the giant fruit and vegetables in the centre of the exhibit using flowers to depict the colours of the fruit. Giant blocks of oasis were carefully cut into shape and the cut flowers were put into place. Our thanks go to all the students for their hard work and determination in making such a spectacular display.

The team who worked on this exciting floral exhibit consisted of a whole host of different levels of expertise from Bournemouth Borough Council’s municipal parks and gardens department. The employee’s day-to-day jobs include anything from tending to the Victorian themed gardens in the tourist spots in Bournemouth to working with volunteers in community parks.

Bournemouth gardens are enjoyed by over 164,000 residents and over 5 million visitors each year. Visitors come to our gardens to relax, watch orchestral performances in the band stand, enjoy ‘Flowers By Candlelight’ (our 100 year old tradition), take a flight in the Bournemouth Eye tethered Balloon and breathe in the pine scented air just as the Victorians did all those years ago.