This beautifully crafted King of the Jungle (or more accurately, of the RHS Hampton Court Floristry Marquee) was part of Capel Manor College’s offering for 2016.
He was placed quite high on the stand so I had to tiptoe to capture him. I loved the ruffled textures of his mane and the tawny colour palette. He’s made from those small kniphofias that are so fashionable these days, with a backdrop of ferny foliage, and details picked out in moss, bark, grasses and seeds.
The foliage used for the mane interests me. It looks too heavy to be a fern, so I’m hazarding a guess that it might be from an evergreen tree. I’d be intrigued to know if the colours were natural or had a helping hand. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
He was suitably wild looking yet somehow seemed in need of a cuddle.
As it’s rare to encounter a kniphofia lion, I’m sharing him for Cee’s Odd Ball Challenge.
Susan Rushton 
Someone is quite talented. Susan this is a wonderful photo for this week. 😀
Thanks Cee.
There appears to be cedar foliage in the mane. It is green when alive, and changes to orange-brown when not live.
Very cool arrangement!
Thanks for the insight Lindy.
I don’t know which I like better, the wonderful lion’s head or the image of you on tip-toe to get the close-up. Photographers are a fearless lot.
I thought I was fairly safe, but you’ve reminded me of Lou Reed’s ‘Vicious / You hit me with a flower / You do it every hour…’ – I never had the faintest idea what that was about.
Wonderful ♥
Thank you.
Wow! He’s fabulous! Wouldn’t he be striking hanging on a front door! Really nice photo.
That’s a good idea. I’ve often seen stone lions guarding houses, but never floral ones.
Tawny King or Toffee Nose, I wonder?
His nose certainly is raised.
So clever! 😃
A magnificent beast, but, yes, I would be tempted to tickle his chin. 😉
He looks in need of some reassurance doesn’t he?