Hosted by English Heritage, the Grand Stonehenge Dahlia Show, features expertly crafted floral sculptures, beautiful locally grown dahlias in the manner of a traditional flower show. During the 1840s, Stonehenge hosted popular dahlia shows attracting crowds of 10,000 – promenading and picnicking at amongst the famous stones. The historic shows involved a variety of competitions, including the creation of sculptures made entirely from flowers and the cultivation of prize-winning dahlias.
At the time of the first Stonehenge Dahlia Show in 1842, dahlias were incredibly popular, yet the obsession was a relatively recent phenomenon. Native to Mexico and mountainous regions of South America, dahlias (named after Swedish botanist, Anders Dahl), first arrived in Britain in 1798. The earliest dahlias to flower in England were single blooms, which with hybridisation eventually fashioned into double blooms and dozens of different varieties – making them a highly attractive as cut flowers and competition exhibits.
Taking advantage of the popularity of dahlias and ‘Al fresco’ entertainment in the first half of the 19th century, John Keynes (1805-1878), a Salisbury nurseryman and Honorary Secretary of the Salisbury Plain Dahlia Society (1840), was reported to have made the decision to hold a dahlia show at Stonehenge – which went on to become ‘one of the earliest of the great exhibitions’. The show took place at Stonehenge for four years, before moving on to another venue.
Taking place on the 27th – 29th of September 2024, the Grand Stonehenge Dahlia Show aims to recreate its colourful history with beautiful floral displays, sculptures and dahlia meadow. The event will also feature two floral mannequins designed by Fleurs de Villes which have been based on figures from Stonehenge’s recent past. Those people attending on the 29th, will be able to purchase cut and potted dahlia plants from 3pm.
Just like their Victorian counterparts in the 1840s, visitors to the show are encouraged to come “dressed to impress”….