Stonehenge Dahlia Shows Revived After 180 Year Hiatus

The historic Stonehenge dahlia shows, a grand spectacle that took place from 1842 to 1845, are being revived after a hiatus of 180 years. In the mid-19th century, these shows drew crowds of up to 10,000 flower enthusiasts who flocked to admire the dahlias, a flower that was the height of fashion during that period. This week, Stonehenge has once again been transformed into a floral paradise as thousands of blooms make their grand return.

Dahlia Beach in Abingdon supplied the dahlias, which arrived on Tuesday and have been crafted into mesmerising sculptures and a flower meadow by local groups. Andie McDowell, a flower farmer at Dahlia Beach, expressed immense pride in supplying 5,000 cut dahlias and dahlia plants to English Heritage to revive this Victorian tradition.

To recreate this spectacle, local flower arranging clubs and professional florists have fashioned floral sculptures, including a giant trilithon.

During the original shows in the 1840s, visitors were treated to displays of award-winning dahlias and flower sculptures, accompanied by cricket matches and brass band performances.

In addition to supplying 4,500 cut flowers, Dahlia Beach also proposed creating a meadow of blooms at the site’s replica neolithic village. This presented an ideal opportunity for the hundreds of potted dahlias grown for autumn shows that didn’t take place. Despite being their biggest challenge yet, it was incredible to see all the hard work pay off.

At the site’s visitor centre, a traditional flower show is also taking place, featuring dahlias grown by local members of the National Dahlia Society. One of these dahlias will be honoured as the Hero of Stonehenge, a tribute to a winning flower from the 1842 show that is now out of cultivation.

Louise Crawley, a landscape historian at English Heritage, highlighted the importance of these flower shows in demonstrating how Stonehenge played a significant role in people’s lives long after it was built. Stonehenge was not initially a tourist attraction but more of a local landmark. However, as the dahlia shows gained popularity, more and more people began to visit, marking the beginning of tourism at Stonehenge.

Historians delved into local newspaper archives to research the original Dahlia shows. The Devizes and Wiltshire Gazette’s report from September 1842 described that year’s show as a scene of unprecedented gaiety on Salisbury Plain, with parties of gentlemen and elegantly dressed ladies scattered about.

This year, nine teams of flower arranging clubs have crafted sculptures featuring dahlias and greenery such as ivy and eucalyptus. The creations include an interpretation of the Wiltshire skyline, a piece referencing the solstices at Stonehenge, hanging Indian wedding garlands, and buckets of dahlias.

The Dahlia show is not just a celebration of a forgotten tradition but also a testament to the enduring popularity of dahlias.

London florist Sophie Powell mentioned that dahlias have seen a resurgence in demand in recent years. She said, “In the past seven years, especially the past three years, dahlias are the flower that everybody wants. They are long-lasting and come in many different varieties. All the dahlias here are British grown.”

Whether sending flowers as a gift or seeking next-day delivery flowers, dahlias are an excellent choice. They provide a vibrant pop of colour when the weather starts to change. As more people in the floristry world look for British-grown flowers for their flower delivery UK services, dahlias are becoming increasingly popular.

The revived Stonehenge dahlia show will run from Friday to Sunday, offering a unique opportunity for flower delivery London services and flower enthusiasts to revel in the beauty of these historic blooms.