Bloom-bombing the urban environment
Florists brought a flash of floral inspiration to the streets of Harrogate as they demonstrated #kerbcouture to transform a town environment. Teams from Harewood-based Leafy Couture and Harrogate Flower Shows ‘bloom-bombed’ streets to highlight the benefits of using plants to bring colour to grey urban scenes.
Inspired by guerrilla gardening, bloom-bombing (or flower-flashing) brings temporary floral decoration to the streets. It formed part of the #kerbcouture theme for 2019’s Harrogate Spring Flower Show.
#kerbcouture – a riot of colour
Show Director Nick Smith said: “We planned to recreate a street where pubs, shops, street furniture and even the brick walls have been ‘bloom-bombed’. An urban environment doesn’t need to be dull and grey. Just about anything, from disused dustbins to old drainpipes, can be used as a home for plants or flowers. It doesn’t need to be expensive or elaborate, but it can make a huge difference to our sense of well-being.”
Florists Leafy Couture, from Harewood, near Leeds, created the #kerbcouture street scene. Helping out were Ripon florists, Branching Out, and the British cut flower co-operative, Flowers from the Farm.
Graffiti artist’s amazing creations
Mural artist Lee Ferry wowed visitors with ideas for transforming the bleakest of back streets with his brand of garden graffiti. Lee, from Stanley, County Durham, created a street mural live during the show. A former cartoonist and sign-writer, Lee formed his company, Custom Artwerk, in 2012. His work has ranged from a roof-sized rendering of Darth Vader to the crests on Newcastle United Football Club’s gates.
Staged at the Great Yorkshire Showground, the Harrogate Spring Flower Show attracts up to 60,000 visitors and 1,000 exhibitors. Visit www.flowershow.org.uk for more details about the next spring and autumn shows and how to buy tickets.
