Yesterday evening Leeds Castle welcomed the press, floral
designers and special guests from the theatrical world including Sir Ian
McKellen to preview the transformation of the 900 year old Castle into a
colourfully creative venue for the Festival of Flowers: ‘Autumn
Glory’.
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| Autumn Glory is the theme of the Festival of Flowers |
The Festival, led by Leeds Castle Head Florist Louise
Roots and multi award winning floral designer Mig Kimpton runs until Sunday
28th September and is free to enter for visitors holding day or annual
passes to Leeds Castle.
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| Louise Roots, Castle Florist with her beautiful David Austen Roses Display |
Special guests were welcomed by Festival Designer Mig
Kimpton before an exclusive preview of the beautifully decorated Castle rooms.
Over 25 talented floral designers, local florists and amateur flower arrangers
have created floral designs on the theme of the glory of the Kent garden
inspired by the poetry of Kipling and Keats.
In the Castle courtyard the Castle gardeners have created a
floral representation of the great influences of both poets. Kipling spent his
informative years in India, which is illustrated at the far end of the
courtyard. Keats, in the near right corner of the Courtyard, spent his final
years in Italy. One of his famous poems ‘Ode to a Nightingale’ is purportedly
written whilst Keats sat under a plum tree.
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| Castle Gardeners Sam and Natalie in the decorated Courtyard inspired by Poets Keats and Kipling |
Special guest Sir Ian McKellan complimented Castle Gardener
Sam Wiesbauer for the creative design describing it as ‘intuitive and
intelligent.’
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| Mig Kimpton Festival Designer with special guest Sir Ian McKellan |
To read more about the preview evening visit: http://maidstone-magazine.co.uk/leeds-castles-fantastic-flower-festival-attended-sir-ian-mckellen/
Specialist talks, demonstrations and workshops make for a
truly floral celebration for visitors to enjoy throughout the week. A free
specialist talk on the flowers and gardens of Leeds Castle takes place on
Thursday at 2pm at the Pavilion Lawn Marquee.
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| Yellow Silk Drawing Room |
Take a step back in time to the 1930s as one of the Castle
Guide’s regales tales of the last private owner Lady Baillie’s lavish
house parties and how she planned floral arrangements down to the minutest
detail on the ‘Lady Baillie’s Love of Flowers’ talk.
For more information on the event visit: www.leeds-castle.com/events
