Bronze Medal Success at the Rutland Flower Show

This summer brought a wonderful milestone for Rutland Florals. In collaboration with Stamford & Rutland Garden Maintenance, we created a show border for the Rutland Flower Show – and we were delighted to be awarded a Bronze Medal for our efforts.

For us, the award wasn’t just about recognition. It was about celebrating flowers, plants, and design in a way that reflects what we love most: garden-inspired beauty, sustainability, and creativity rooted in the local landscape of Rutland.

The Inspiration Behind Our Bronze Medal Border

When planning the border, we wanted to capture the charm of a traditional English cottage gardenwhile weaving in the artistry of floristry. The planting scheme was designed with layers of colour and texture:

• Dusky pinks and soft creams for romance

• Calming blues for depth and balance

• Seasonal foliage to ground the design and create structure

The result was a border that looked as though it had always been there, natural yet carefully designed. As a Rutland florist, I’m usually working with flowers as cut stems for weddings and events. Stepping into the world of live planting gave me a new perspective on how blooms interact with their surroundings and change through the seasons.

A True Collaboration

Working alongside Stamford & Rutland Garden Maintenance was the heart of this project. Their expertise in soil health, plant care, and border structure brought strength and longevity to the design. My focus as a florist added softness, storytelling, and movement.

Together, we created something unique: a border that blended the best of both worlds – horticulture and floristry. It was both a garden and an artistic installation, showing how plants and flowers can inspire beyond their usual roles.

The Rutland Flower Show Experience

Show week itself was a whirlwind. From transporting plants to arranging them perfectly in the soil, it was a hands-on effort that demanded patience, creativity, and plenty of teamwork.

The highlight was seeing how visitors responded. Many stopped to admire favourite blooms, asked about plant names, and took inspiration for their own gardens. Some commented that the border felt welcoming, romantic, and easy to imagine in their own outdoor spaces – exactly the response we had hoped for.

It was also a joy to meet so many local people who share a love for gardens and flowers. For anyone who hasn’t yet been, the Rutland Flower Show is a wonderful day out with talks, activities, and inspiration for all ages.

Winning Bronze

Being awarded a Bronze Medal at the Rutland Flower Show was a proud moment. It reflected the thought, care, and creativity poured into every detail. Medals are judged not only on appearance but also on vision, planting knowledge, and storytelling – all elements we worked hard to balance.

While the medal was an achievement, the bigger success was everything we learned. This project reminded us that when floristry and gardening come together, the results can be magical.

Thank You to Our Supporters

A project like this would not have been possible without the help of so many people:

• Welland Vale Garden Centre, our main sponsor, for their expertise and plant support.

• The Rutland Flower Show organisers, for providing such a brilliant stage for creativity.

• The judges, for their thoughtful feedback.

• Our suppliers, who made sure everything ran smoothly.

• Our clients, who kindly allowed us time away during the busy show week – your patience means the world.

Looking Ahead

This Bronze Medal border has sparked so many ideas for the future. At Rutland Florals, our focus will always be on creating seasonal, garden-inspired wedding flowers in Rutland. But this collaboration has shown us how much beauty comes from blending floristry with horticulture.

We’re excited to explore more projects that combine the artistry of floral design with the science of gardening – whether that’s sustainable planting, seasonal displays, or community events.

Final Thoughts

Standing back to see our border in full bloom, medal in hand, was a moment we’ll never forget. It captured everything we love about flowers: their power to transform spaces, bring people together, and spark joy.

Thank you to everyone who came to see us at the Rutland Flower Show. We’re already looking forward to what next year brings.

At Rutland Florals, our mission is to share the beauty of flowers in every form – whether through wedding flowers in Rutland, elegant event florals, or special collaborations like this one. We hope our Bronze Medal border inspired you as much as it inspired us.