Bournemouth Orchid Society: Winners of the Best Orchid Show Display 2026
A happy annual show that brings orchid enthusiasts, orchid trade, expert growers, and beginners from around the country and the world. Four enjoyable days for people to share their knowledge and expertise with each other and the public. A once in the year chance to buy a from a huge selection of rare and beautiful orchids. For the full list of the awards scroll to the bottom of the page
Best Species in Show: Bulbophyllum annamense ‘Lily G’
grown by Andy Gissing of the Suffolk Orchid Society
Andy’s plant was awarded an RHS Cultural Certificate by the RHS Expert Group and this is the first time he has exhibited at a large show.
The plant in a 18cm-wide basket, was 71cm across and had 30 spikes with 160 open flowers. It waas exhibited as Bulbophyllum eberhardtii (Syn. Bulbophyllum longiflorum) but was later identified as Bulbophyllum annamense, a native of Vietnam which grows in humid forests. It differs from B.longifloruum in having distinct side lopes at the base of the lip.
Best Hybrid in Show: Vanda Cherry Blossom ‘Oliver’
grown by Len Gray of the Darlington Orchid Society
Vanda Cherry Blossom is a primary hybrid between Vanda falcata and Vanda ampullacea and was made and registered by Ernest Iwanaga of Hawaii in 1961. Len’s plant, which was in a 15-cm diameter pot was 30cm across and had six spikes with 64 open flowers. was awarded a Cultural Certificate by the RHS Orchid Expert Group.
Some Images from the Show
click on any image to view the slideshow
Burnham Nurseries
Arthur Bell & Sara Rittershausen
Orchids & Beyond
One of our new traders this year
Ecuagenera from Ecuador
Who could resist the smile of Ivan?
Isle of Portland Orchids
A UK family business
Orchid Alchemy
Andrew Bannister turning on the charm!
Scottish Orchid Society
Gold Award
Orchid Society of Great Britain
Platinum Award
Thames Valley Orchid Society
Gold Award
South West Orchid Society
Silver Merit Award
Hinckley & District Orchid Society
Silver Merit Award
Chris Jones;
Botanical Artist
Monica explaining the finer points of orchid cultivation
Mariano Medda – Eric Young Orchid Foundation on Jersey
Elite Orchids
Mark Turner
Exotic Fern Group
We always want to pass on our expertise
Some Happy British Orchid Council Society Members
At the end of the Show the names of all the 14 orchid society involved in the event went into a draw. There were 14 prizes, 11 orchid flasks and 3 groups of three orchid species. This meant that everyone went away with a prize to take back to their society.
‘Many thanks to Johan Hermans and Paul Upward for providing the photographs‘…………Chris Barker
School Workshops
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For me the four school workshops that we do on the Thursday and Friday are one of the Show highlights. The images are of pupils from Malborough Primary School and Balsall Common Primary School.
Thank you all again for a super workshop. The children are so proud of their orchids; they told the minibus driver “look at our orchids, we planted them and they get flowers and the first one gets a prize!” They told him he had to drive safely so they did not get broken. They have excitedly taken them home to look after.
It was lovely to see you all again and we do appreciate the time you give to the children.
It was such a pleasure to meet you and your fellow orchid team last Friday at the BBC Gardeners World. The 14 Year 5 pupils we had with us from Balsall Common Primary School, all thoroughly enjoyed themselves. We have put a post in this week’s newsletter that will be followed up on social media next week.
We hope that our paths will cross again at next year’s event
BBC Gardeners’ World 2027
In 2027 BBC Gardeners’ World Live along with the BBC Good Food Show will be moving to the nearby Packington Estate. Don’t miss it — put the Date in your diary.
Thursday 17 – Sunday 20 June 2027
Full List of the Awards
