The 2008 bouquets d’aujourd’hui® was once again one of the major events at the Salon du Végétal. Its aim is to promote French-produced flowers. The creations produced by Jean-Louis Anxoine and his team with the three flowers of the year (carnation, mimosa, strelitzia) were a huge hit with the public, large numbers of whom attended the demonstrations on Wednesday and on Friday, with even more of them at the competition held on Thursday.

The number of participants in the competition has also risen (18 this year), and they came from all over France and even from Italy! They had to work on two subjects: an arrangement and a bouquet in set containers which were identical for all competitors and had to be made in 1 hour. Creativity and imagination took pride of place. Here is the list of winners of the 2008 competition:

- 1^st prize: Aurélie Bourreau, Fleurs et Passion, Azay/Cher

- 2^nd prize: Aurélie Lacroix, Lilie Fleurs, Isle sur la Sorgue (Vaucluse)

- 3^rd prize: Mélanie Senegon, Lycée Fleuri, Angers

- Coup de Coeur prize: Stéphanie Drai for her bouquet

A big “thank you” both to everyone who took part and had the courage to face the public and to all our partners who provided the prizes awarded to the winners: POKON CHRYSAL, CASH-ANJOU, FLEURISTERIE magazine and the Salon du Végétal. This year, the Coup de Coeur prize was presented by one of the heads of VALHOR, Maxime François.

And obviously we would like to thank the whole of Jean-Louis Anxoine’s team who successfully highlighted the potential of these French-produced flowers and showed that even with limited resources it is perfectly possible to show these flowers off to the best commercial advantage in store.

Now it is up to you to find inspiration in all of this and we look forward to seeing you next year!