The following column was submitted to the Tri-City News from Brian Minter — master gardener, best-selling author, Order of Canada recipient and co-owner of Minter Country Garden Store.
With the ongoing pandemic issues that seem to have no end in sight, any bright spots, especially during this festive season, are most welcome.
One of the more spectacular events to enjoy over the holidays is Fleurs de Villes NOËL.
This event’s Floral Art Trail takes place from Dec. 10 to 19 in Vancouver’s downtown core.
Fleurs de Villes NOËL is a living floral art display put together by Karen Marshall and Tina Barkley.
These two amazing ladies have engaged the floral community to create over 40 magnificent design pieces displayed on the Floral Art Trail from the lobby of the Fairmont Hotel (where a map can be picked up), along Robson Street, back down Alberni Street, and ending at the Vancouver Art Gallery.
Some of the exquisite floral features will include couture mannequins, stunningly designed entryways, a very large snowy mountain, giant presents, colourful candy canes and, of course, Santa’s sleigh overflowing with seasonal blooms.
A major sponsor of this event is the National Bank of Canada, and the hosts are the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and the Robson Street Business Association.
We also have to give credit to some of Vancouver’s top local florists for their unique and inspiring design work.
I had the pleasure of speaking with Karen Marshall about their floral promotion company, Fleurs du Villes.
This company was formed in 2015 to promote the creative use of flowers and plants as a vehicle to inspire folks on a global scale. Their productions have often been referred to as the Cirque du Soleil of the floral world.
This year they will be staging displays in four countries and 22 cities, featuring the year-round creative use of flowers and plants.
This coming spring, they will be in Miami, Fl., with a new show called Fleurs de Villes FEMMES, which will honour well-known and inspirational women from around the world. This important new show will be in Vancouver next June. It will also be a major feature at Seattle’s Northwest Flower and Garden Festival this coming Feb. 9 to 13.
This is the third time they have presented Fleurs de Villes NOËL in Vancouver, and each year the show has enjoyed higher levels of engagement.
During this year’s event, six local restaurants, on or near the Floral Trail, are promoting special menus and floral themed drinks.
Much of the show is outside, and Marshall said the best time to view the exhibits is during the day. This family event is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and it’s something folks can spend a good part of the day enjoying.
Make sure to include this free Christmas themed floral art as part of your holiday experience.
