By Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The landscape gardener who created the Best In Show at the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show said he is ‘over the moon’ to have won.
James Comish, owner of James Comish Landscape & Horticulture, wowed the judges with his impressive Southport of Yesteryear garden as he collected a hat-trick of top awards.
He was awarded The Brockhouse Gold Challenge Trophy for The Best Show Garden; The Southport Corporation Trophy for Large Show Garden (Professional); and The Brian Aughton Memorial Trophy for Best Use Of Plants In A Display Show Garden.
His Southport of Yesteryear garden pays homage to much-loved Southport landmarks over the past century and has been a real talking point at the event.
James Comish Landscape and Horticulture won Best In Show at the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
The garden features two limestone waterfalls to pay homage to the rock gardens of years gone by. The old Botanic Garden is represented with a planted clock face and Lakeside Miniature Railway with a pond, a station and a train. Paying tribute to the old parks and gardens is a flowing carpet of dahlias and an old Southport lamppost.
James Comish said: “I was over the moon when I was told we had won.
“I thought our garden may possibly have been a little too much fun to be judged Best In Show but I was delighted to be awarded the trophy.
James Comish wins Best In Show at Southport Flower Show. Photo by Gareth Jones Photography
“The three trophies we have won are testament to a lot of effort and hard work by everyone on our team.
“The reaction from people when they see our garden has been superb. We have had crowds of people here taking photos all day long.
“It has been really well received. It makes me happy we have been able to put smiles on people’s faces. Lots of visitors have enjoyed reminiscing over old Southport landmarks and their memories from years gone by.
“The standard of show gardens at Southport Flower Show this year is the best I have seen for several years.
“With this being the 100th anniversary show everyone has made such a huge effort. There are 19 show gardens here this year.
James Comish Landscape and Horticulture won Best In Show at the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“We started planning this design in January and began propagating the plants we need in February. We grew three separate batches for the show.
“As this is the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show we decided to go with a theme of Southport through the years.
James Comish Landscape and Horticulture won Best In Show at the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
“We have included an old Southport lamppost; and references to the old floral clock from Hesketh Park, which so many people loved, plus the miniature railway, old Southport posters, and rock waterfalls, which used to be all along the bank at Victoria Park when Southport Flower Show took place years ago.”
Southport Flower Show, sponsored by Seventy Ninth Group, is the UK’s largest independent flower show and attracts over 55,000 visitors every year. It will take place over four days from Thursday 15th August to Sunday 18th August 2024.
James Comish Landscape and Horticulture won Best In Show at the 100th anniversary Southport Flower Show. Photo by Andrew Brown Stand Up For Southport
Southport Flower Show will have some special guests this year from the likes of Adam Frost of BBC Gardeners’ World, David Domoney of Love Your Garden and CBBC’s Blue Peter and CBeebies Star Justin Fletcher.
It will be officially opened by BBC Radio broadcaster, TV star and DJ Adele Roberts.
- For more details and tickets for Southport Flower Show please visit: www.southportflowershow.co.uk
- Contact: James Comish Designer: James Comish & Anthony Major www.jamescomish.co.uk [email protected] 07447 692948 Sponsored by: L&T Hire & Supplies Ltd
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