Show director Roger Brownbridge said: "The atmosphere was buzzing and, despite the recession, many exhibitors claimed record sales with visitors clearly in the mood to spend money on their gardens."

Nurseries competing in the Wish You Were Here display caught the public's imagination, boasting gardens based on holiday destinations like India, Japan and Hawaii.

And the Yorkshire Flower Club attracted praise for its recreation of Monet's garden, complete with water and waterlilies.

Inspiring

Another highlight was the College Garden Design Competition, with students presenting seven gardens based around a fictitious house and family.

A spokesman for the show said visitors had no doubt taken inspiration from the students' designs, ready to apply the ideas in their own gardens.

The Best in Show award was won by Hampshire Carnivorous Plants for their weird and wonderful exhibits.

Attendance up

The total attendance of 58,152 at the spring show was up on last year's gate by 2,256.

Show officials said they were delighted with the attendance figures, which had defied the credit crunch and were now moving back towards the all-time record of 61,000, achieved in 2003.

The Harrogate Autumn Flower Show takes place from September 18 to 20.

For exclusive pictures of this year's event, see Friday's Harrogate Advertiser.