Shrub Trophy Triumph for Tremough Gardens at the 2026 Spring Flower Show

March 27, 2026

The 116th Falmouth Spring Flower Show took place on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 March at the Princess Pavilion, filling the venue with vibrant displays and the unmistakable scents of spring. The annual event brings together some of Cornwall’s finest gardens, horticulturalists, community groups, and dedicated enthusiasts — including the FX Plus Grounds and Gardens Team.

This year proved exceptional for the team, who proudly secured The Shrub Trophy and Best in Cut Classes. The Shrub Trophy, originally the Chamber of Commerce Challenge Trophy, is believed by Grounds and Gardens Manager Toby Nenning to be the oldest cup from the show’s early years. It recognises the highest number of points in the shrub and hardwood categories, including Tremough Garden’s historic and internationally significant rhododendrons, alongside camellias, magnolias, and other shrubs.

The team also claimed Best in Section for cut flowers, showcasing an impressive array of daffodils, hyacinths, and other spring blooms. Their entries in the cacti and succulent classes also performed strongly, contributing to an outstanding haul of awards. In total, Tremough Gardens took home two trophies, four golds, seven silvers, and six bronzes — a testament to the team’s passion, skill, and dedication.

Awards were presented by the Mayor of Falmouth, Councillor Alan Jewell, who praised the high standard of exhibits, saying:

“It has been fantastic to see such a high standard of exhibits on display this weekend. The creativity and dedication of everyone who has taken part is clear to see.”

Show organiser Nicola Burgess added:

“The quality and variety of exhibits were excellent, and it was clear a great deal of time and care had gone into them.”

This year’s show featured 870 entries from 95 exhibitors, with fierce competition from gardens such as Trewinthen and vibrant involvement from schools, community groups, and individual growers — highlighting the ongoing strength and diversity of local horticultural talent.

The Spring Flower Show has a long and celebrated history. In the early 1900s, it served as Cornwall’s premier season‑opening event, attracting royalty and notable figures including Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. After the retirement of the volunteer committee in 2019, Falmouth Town Council took on custodianship, working to preserve the show’s legacy while broadening its appeal to audiences of all ages and gardening experience.

The continued success of the team’s entries from Tremough Gardens (our Penryn campus) contributes proudly to this annual tradition. Congratulations to everyone involved, and to the organisers of this historic event.

Visit the Falmouth Packet to read their coverage of the event. To find out more about the history of the Falmouth Spring Flower Show, click here.