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Stonehenge dahlia sculptures recreate Victorian shows

English Heritage Two large sculptures depicting Victorian women in dresses made out of dahlias. They are intricate dresses with lots of different colours and textures. They are positioned on the grass a distance away from Stonehenge, which can be seen in the background on a misty day.English Heritage
A pinkish orange ball dahlia with tunnel-like petals. In the background you can see leaves and other dahlias in purple and white.
The annual shows in the 1840s attracted crowds of up to 10,000 people
The public will be invited to choose a newly cultivated dahlia in a competition for the title of New Hero of Stonehenge

More than 5,000 dahlias have been put on display to pay homage to floral shows held nearly 180 years ago.

English Heritage is hosting the Grand Dahlia Show at Stonehenge this weekend, recreating the historic floristry events which began in Wiltshire in the 1840s.

Florists have created intricate 3D sculptures made from different dahlia varieties, to represent what visitors would once have worn to attend the event.

Local members of the National Dahlia Society will also showcase their blooms in a traditional flower show.

English Heritage Two florists wearing brown aprons, delicately placing dahlias into two sculptures which depict Victorian women in hoop skirts. They are standing on the grass in front of Stonehenge, which can be seen in the background on a misty day.English Heritage
The sculptures were crafted by local groups and floral artists

This year's spectacle will include floral artistry alongside Victorian fashion, recreating the atmosphere of a grand day out.

Emily Parker, English Heritage landscape historian, said: "People have been visiting Stonehenge for centuries, for all sorts of reasons.

"A flower festival might be one of the more unexpected things to draw people to the ancient monument but, in their day, these dahlia shows would have been really spectacular."

Dahlias reached the peak of their popularity in the early Victorian years after their introduction to the UK from their native Mexico via Europe in 1798.

English Heritage A tall woman wearing a large skirt which is decorated with dahlias. She is wearing Victorian style clothing and a bonnet, and is walking alongside a couple with her arms outstretched and carrying a bouquet of dahlias. The couple are linking arms, also wearing Victorian clothing adorned with colourful dahlias.English Heritage
Visitors can pose for photos in a Victorian skirt made of dahlias

"To see them make a comeback after all this time is so exciting," Ms Parker continued.

"It offers us a unique opportunity for us to step back in time to the Victorian elegance and grandeur of the 1840s.”

Emily Parker in a blue blouse with curly shoulder-length brown hair and a fringe. She is standing beside the skirt section of a dahlia sculpture. There are pleated layers of different types and colours of dahlias.
Emily Parker said the sculptures require "patience and incredible craftmanship"

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