Second blooming Chelsea honour
A Strath man scooped a silver award at the worldfamous Chelsea Flower Show,
John McDonald brought back a bronze in his first foray into exhibiting at the major horticultural event in 2016 after he was selected to represent his club.
But this year he decided to go solo and was delighted to go one better when his creative talents earned him another prestigious prize.
John told the Herald: “I was back at Chelsea this year but I entered a floral arrangement from myself, not for a club, so it was just me to create the whole thing.
“This was in the floral design area which has different categories of exhibit, all varying in size of space and specification.
“I was in a category titled Destination Unknown and it had a stand within the space that had to be used, with nothing touching the floor.
“My thinking was that to show a place or destination wouldn’t be unknown, so the arrangement should be more about a journey or form of journey.
“I wanted to create something sculptural but with delicate florals as a contrast so I created two sails and wove flowers into each as screens.”
The Chelsea Flower Show is where the best garden designers and florists go each year to display their skills with flowers and plants.
A favourite of the Royal Family, the show was visited this year by the Queen, Prince Philip and the Countess of Strathearn.
John added: “I was really pleased to get a silver. This is the second time I have been to Chelsea and managed a medal each time so I am very happy.
“It is quite a logistic thing to do Chelsea, as it is so far away and you have to work through the whole night for placing your arrangement so it’s pretty tiring.
“Finding somewhere to stay with parking is also challenging.”
John, who lives in Auchterarder but is originally from Crieff, heads up the floristry team at Gleneagles.
He said: “We work seven days a week, providing flowers for the guests, the public areas and events, and are very lucky to work in such a prestigious hotel.”