On 28 November 2024, in Nantes, France, the Award Ceremony for the 13th Floralies Internationales celebrated the best from the horticultural show held earlier in the summer. This formal occasion highlighted the participants’ achievements in terms of ornamental horticulture and concepts, with the specific merits recognised by a professional international jury led by AIPH President Leonardo Capitanio. Participants, experts, and stakeholders from around the globe gathered to honour creativity, sustainability, and innovation, marking the conclusion of an extraordinary year for the Floralies Internationales.
Endorsed by AIPH in 2022 as an approved International Horticultural Show, the 13th Floralies Internationales took place from 17 to 26 May 2024 at the Logis de la Chabotterie in Montréverd, Vendée. This milestone event marked the first time the show was held at this new venue, offering a fresh perspective to its long-standing tradition. The ten-day exhibition embraced the theme “Flower Games,” inspired by the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, with sub-themes such as water games, childhood games, mind games, plant games, and effort games shaping the imaginative displays. Despite challenging wet weather conditions, the event attracted tens of thousands of visitors, celebrating flowers, plants, sustainability, biodiversity, and the joy of play, cementing its status as a cultural and horticultural landmark.
The November award ceremony honoured the exceptional creativity, dedication, and innovation showcased during the May show. It celebrated projects and individuals who set new benchmarks for the floriculture industry while reflecting on the event’s key themes and successes, ensuring its legacy would inspire the global community.
The evening commenced with a keynote address emphasising the importance of collaboration and innovation in advancing floriculture. Since 1942, the Floralies Committee, a passionate and dedicated team, has driven this event. As a non-profit organisation under French law, the Committee has united professionals and amateurs, experts and beginners, to promote and celebrate the plant industry. Their commitment and shared values have sustained and evolved the event, ensuring its lasting impact on both the industry and local market dynamics.
Held every five years, the Floralies Internationales is recognised as a premier platform for advancing floriculture. A record number of entries addressed themes such as biodiversity, eco-friendly practices, and technology integration in horticulture. Submissions were evaluated by a panel of 35 professionals from Italy, Germany, Britain, Turkey, Canada, and France, ensuring the highest standards of expertise and fairness.
Key awards reflected the international scope and collaborative spirit of the event, with honours distributed across 20 diverse categories. Among the international highlights, Euroflora’s garden from Italy stood out with its bold and inspiring approach, while the Turkish entry from Kahramanmaraş received a special distinction for its unique representation of cultural heritage. The Innovation in Design Award went to the Japan Flowers and Plants Export Association for their avant-garde project fusing living plants with interactive technology, setting a benchmark for future-focused horticulture. The Sustainability Excellence Award went to a Dutch designer for championing circular economy principles through the use of native plants and recycled materials.
As the ceremony concluded, attendees engaged in lively networking and discussions, exploring opportunities for new partnerships. For many, the 13th Floralies Internationales was not merely a celebration but a pivotal moment of inspiration and collaboration within the global floriculture community. Its strong emphasis on sustainability and cultural exchange highlighted the industry’s capacity to drive meaningful change while honouring its enduring connection to nature.
For the list of award winners, www.comite-des-floralies.com/palmares.
