UK's largest flower carpet to go on show in Bury St. Edmunds

The UK’s largest begonia flower carpet measuring some 750 square metres is to be laid in Abbey Gardens, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk for viewing over the late summer Bank holiday weekend, Friday 24 – Sunday 26 August from 9am until dusk.

The amazing, colourful floral tapestry will be laid by around 100 people and created from over 350,000 flower heads, including the world’s first scented begonia, grown and imported from Belgium by national seed specialists Thompson & Morgan.

A raised viewing platform is being built so that visitors can see the full effect of the vibrant tapestry, which will depict the famous character of Old MacDonald and his farm. The design is printed onto a fleece, which is secured to the ground ready for the army of helpers to start knitting the coloured begonia heads into place, like a giant painting by numbers.

Admission is £2.50 per adult and free for accompanied children under fourteen; this includes entry into the viewing area and a programme with information on how the carpet is made and growing begonias. Proceeds will be put to charities chosen by the Lions Club of Stowmarket and District who are organising the carpet laying; these include Macmillan Cancer Care and Diabetes UK.

Historic Bury St Edmunds was the location of the UK’s first flower carpet in August 2005 when over £21,000 was raised for local charities.

For further information log on to Begoniaflowercarpet.org.uk.

Those planning to stay overnight can find accommodation suggestions at Stedmundsbury.gov.uk.