David Harber sculptures at the Newport Flower Show

We’re delighted to participate in this year’s Newport Flower Show, 20-22 June 2025, and three of our iconic pieces will feature in a stunning central garden display on the oceanside back lawn of the historic Rosecliff Estate.

‘A Floral Fair’ is the theme for this year’s flower show. A play on words to reference the original owner of Rosecliff, Theresa Fair Oelrichs, and the state fairs and expositions popular in the Gilded Age. Alongside the main garden display, visitors can expect incredible botanical and floral displays, including an elaborate chandelier composed completely of vegetables in the Rosecliff ballroom.

We’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Jim Donahue, Curator of Historic Landscapes & Horticulture at The Preservation Society of Newport County, to bring the garden to life with our sculptures.

Visitors at Newport Flower Show. Photo credit: newportmansions.org

Rosecliff Mansion. Photo credit: newportmansions.org

Jim has been working for The Preservation Society for 21 years. His work as landscape curator is focused on researching and restoring the grounds of each of the eleven properties under the guardianship of the Society, a non-profit organisation. The most notable being The Breakers, the familial summer home of Cornelius Vanderbilt II.

The Newport Flower Show started in the early 20th century to allow these grand, local estates’ gardens to showcase their horticultural skills and compete for prizes in dozens of categories ranging from gladioli to fruit baskets. However, the event ceased between the World Wars and was only revived 30 years ago.

‘This will be my 20th Newport Flower Show,’ says Jim, who is also the horticulture chairperson for the Show. ‘I design and install extensive holiday decorations at three or four of our properties every festive season.’

Rosecliff has been the home of the Newport Flower Show for some years. Once a hub for Gilded Age society, its popularity has continued into the modern day. ‘There’s a wow moment at Rosecliff when visitors exit the ballroom onto the elevated rear terrace to see the rolling lawn stretching down to the Atlantic,’ explains Jim. It’s a breathtaking setting for a central display garden, and the plants have been carefully chosen to convey the coastal character of Newport and the Rosecliff estate through movement and textures.

The garden has been inspired by the White City of the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The temporary White City buildings were designed by many of the great architects of the time, including Charles McKim, partner of Rosecliff architect Stanford White, and Richard Morris Hunt, who designed Marble House and The Breakers.

‘There’s a wow moment at Rosecliff when visitors exit the ballroom onto the elevated rear terrace to see the rolling lawn stretching down to the Atlantic.’

Jim Donahue

The selection of David Harber sculptures is intended to elevate the design. ‘The sculpture concourse will extend a strong invitation to visitors to make their way to the balustrade at the oceanside Cliff Walk, and along the way, they can admire three of David Harber’s sculptures: Torus, Mantle II and Flo,’ says Jim. ‘Gilded Age gardens featured statuary, usually along classical themes, but David Harber’s sculptures appeal to a 21st-century aesthetic, and the contrast to Rosecliff will be compelling.’

Alongside sculptures in the display garden, David Harber will have a stand showcasing three more pieces from our portfolio: Quiver, Dark Planet and Armillary. If you’d like to arrange a consultation with one of our team at the show, email enquiries@davidharber.com.

On the 20th June, David Harber’s Creative Director, Lior Kristal and Charles LaGreca from Fernando Wong Outdoor Living Design will take part in a panel discussion on the making of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Tickets for the Newport Flower Show are on sale now at newportmansions.org.