From 31st May until 2nd June 2018 Chichester Cathedral was transformed into a paradise of rich colour and sweet perfume for its biennial Festival of Flowers.
Acclaimed as 'the gold standard' of flower festivals, this year's event saw a floral spectacular of over 50,000 flowers. The Festival was opened by its patron, Emma Bridgewater, the British designer and businesswoman whose distinctive ceramics have a world-wide following. Visitors were treated to 80 stunning flower arrangements, created by over 240 flower arrangers, expressing the theme of this year's Festival: 'This Earthly Paradise'.
The theme 'This Earthly Paradise' incorporated plant hunting, botany, horticulture and conservation, and celebrated plants from across the globe, looking at how they have shaped continents and continue to inspire today's gardeners and explorers. Renowned for innovation, this year's Festival showcased several 'firsts', including a new - never seen before - tea rose, 'Nostalgia', which was specially designed and grown for this year's event. The rose is highly perfumed with creamy blooms that are uniquely edged with cherry red. 'Nostalgia' is the creation of accomplished local growers Jonathan and Elizabeth Sawday from Apuldram Roses.
The Chichester Cathedral 's Festival of Flowers is a biennial event organised by the Chichester Cathedral Restoration and Development Trust. This year's Festival Designer was Jose Morum-Pound.