An Abergavenny florist is toasting her success after being placed third in the prestigious Interflora Florist of the Year Final at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

Charlotte Davies (31), of Hilary’s Floral Design in Abergavenny, beamed from ear to ear as the results were announced, which put her in joint second place right until the final score was announced.

During the final, which took place in front of a live audience, Charlotte had to create three floral items; a floral parasol and table decoration which were each completed in 90 minutes and a gift arrangement including a bottle, the brief for which was only unveiled on the day. A fourth item, a floral picnic basket, was made in advance.

Charlotte was awarded second place for her picnic basket, parasol and table decoration and the judges praised the inventiveness of her designs. Planning began weeks ago, with Charlotte’s husband, a joiner, handmaking the table, parasol base and Perspex top, including drilling more than 270 individual holes to hold the test tubes.

She said, “There have been a lot of sketches done over the past few weeks but I’ve never put it all together before so there was a particularly nervewracking moment when I lifted the parasol into place! That’s the design I like best though, I love the movement within it and the way it all works together.”

A regular on the competition circuit, Charlotte is already thinking about her next event and plans to take part in the heats for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show Florist of the Year. She added, “I think I’ve got a problem – I can’t stop competing!” Charlotte will also be in action again at the show on Sunday, as one of Interflora’s expert floral demonstrators.

Interflora Director Nick Priest said, “Florist of the Year is about celebrating creativity, passion, flair and design skills in floristry and these five have certainly demonstrated they have plenty of those things. We knew there were going to be some really great pieces created because of the calibre of the florists we had in the final and we weren’t disappointed. Charlotte’s creations are a great example of the level to which our florists work and every finalist should be truly proud of what they’ve achieved here today.”

Interflora is the UK and Ireland’s most recognised and trusted flower delivery service, with a network of over 1,200 expert florists in the UK and Ireland. The Interflora Florist of the Year competition has been running for over 60 years and winning the coveted title is seen as a premier accolade within the industry.

The finished designs will remain on display in the Floral Design Studio Marquee at the RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show until the 8 July. Floral demonstrations by Interflora’s expert florists will also take place daily. RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is the world’s largest annual flower show, stretching over 34 acres and flanking both sides of the Long Water at Hampton Court Palace. Tickets to the event can be purchased online at www.rhs.org.uk.