The 2019 Joburg International Flower Show promises to be blooming marvellous

The Johannesburg International Flower Show is on at Waterfall City from October 30 to November 3. (republished from Sunday Times)
Image: Supplied

Whether you are a floral design fundi, a green-fingered gardener or you wish to soak up the sun and enjoy a day out, the Johannesburg International Flower Show is aimed at everyone. It offers the opportunity to experience a celebration of design and artistic innovation.

From October 30 to November 3, Waterfall City will be transformed into a blooming display of floral talent, gardening excellence, top-class entertainment and a hub of activity suitable for everyone from families to socialites.

Within the Netflorist Pavilion of Flowers guests will be mesmerised by cascading floral chandeliers, themed floral exhibits by top designers Franz Grabe, Blomboy and other high-profile floral stylists creating sensational art exhibits.

“The pavilion will be the perfect backdrop for local talent to shine on the world stage, such as Mabel M,” says Mike Sham of The Johannesburg International Flower Show. Mabel Maposa is a Cape Town-based floral designer who can produce magic with flowers.

Some of the wonderful sights in the outside garden areas include a Super Food Garden designed by Amorentia Estate and Nursery – in collaboration with Earth Studio Gardens, which will showcase blueberries, avocados, macadamia nuts and a new variety of Dragon Fruit.

“Local landscaper Craig de Necker’s boundless enthusiasm and willingness to assist has been a great help throughout this journey,” says Sham. “Operating as The Friendly Plant, Craig and his team make great use of technology and they are not afraid to put themselves out there.

“Judging by the previous work as well as the computer-generated renders of the garden that The Friendly Plant will be building, we look forward to a lot of traffic at this display.”

Greg Straw will also build one of the show gardens through his landscaping business, Landarch.

Artisanal gins from Old Packhouse Distillery and adult popsicles by Frost will be available, as will artisanal food trucks and stalls. The Fourways and Waterfall Organic Market teams will manage two stages, food and the Heineken Beer Garden, which will include a big screen so that no one will miss the World Cup Rugby final on Saturday.

Visitors can buy plants and flowers from Ludwig Roses, Plantland and The Garden Shop. In addition to floral designs, Alsmeer will have a flower market on Waterfall Park.

If bling is more your thing, Floral Jewels will have a range of floral-inspired jewellery and the SA Mint will sell floral design coins.

The gardens and floral artistry will be judged by internationally acclaimed judges Pascal Garbe and Sharon McGukin.

Garbe, one of the world’s most influential judges, will be the head judge of gardens at the show.

McGukin, who will be demonstrating at the hands-on floral design presentations, is the international head judge of flowers at the show. From decorating floats at the Rose Bowl Parade to designing floral arrangements in the White House, McGukin is recognised worldwide for her expertise.

Both judges will host free talks and demonstrations. Learn about Japanese gardening, the basics of gardening, roses and rose care as well as trends within the industry, including edible flowers, with the bright nasturtium leading the way.

“This orange beauty not only attracts bees and is the perfect plant for aphid control, but it also has some wonderful medicinal properties and is edible,” says Johan Du Preez, brand ambassador for Starke Ayres.

There will also be a seedling park where children can learn about gardening.

“With the Malanseuns Kids Gardening initiative, we strive to teach the gardeners of the future about the value of planting and show them how much fun it can be,” says Malanseuns’s Jimie Malan.