EXHIBITING in the marquee, Alan Foxall sits among more than 5,000 blooms in the indoor display Towpath Treasures.
The exhibit, which was created by an eight-strong team from Sefton Council's leisure department, includes a water wheel, a working canal lock and a barge - not to forget manager Alan's multi-coloured collection of flowers.
Alan from Botanic Gardens said: "There are lots of new plants that we have introduced this year on our dis-play, not forgetting every-one's favourites such as foxgloves, delphiniums and argyranthemums.
"The water theme gave us a tremendous amount of scope and the design by Alan Gosling gave us the opportunity to display a wide and diverse selection of flora and fauna, including the richness of colour in the cottage garden and the flowers found around Britain's waterways. We couldn't have done in without the help of the Botanic Gardens nursery staff."
The team spent months putting together the garden to exhibit in the prestigious show, incorporating this year's theme of water.
The fantastic creation, including a waterwheel and a boat complete with captain and cat, picked up not one, not even two, but three awards.
Alan Foxall and the team were presented with the Salopian Trophy for second best exhibit in the entire show. They also scooped the A Huxtable Trophy for the finest exhibit incorporating water as a major development in the design and a Large Gold Medal.
Alan said: "We are absolutely delighted to have picked up three awards and again enjoy success at one of the best flower shows in the country. During the course of the four-day show thousands of people admired the garden and plenty were asking about the huge array of plants used in the exhibition - and the best thing about it is that they can buyall the plants at Botanic Gardens Nursery."
* For further information on Botanic Gardens Nursery, call 01704-214164 or log onto www.sefton.gov.uk
