There were 149 entries for the Fall Flower and Vegetable Show held by the Moorefield and District Horticultural Society on Aug. 27.
Judge, Jean Gordon, commented that it was a great show. She encouraged members to consider placing an entry in the District 7 flower show.
Gordon’s pick for Best Dahlia went to Clara Bauman, Best Gladioli to Martha Rumph, Best Design to Hannah Veld and Best Rose to Clara Bauman.
Attaining the most points in the various sections were: Martha Rumph, vegetable; Clara Bauman, cut flowers; Jerry Ottens, potted plants and Hannah Veld, design. These winners each received a $10 gift certificate for Blooms ’n Things.
Sandy Duncan, from Moorefield, was the speaker for the evening. She and Monica Doer have been operating their plant business in this area for the past seven years.
Duncan spoke about plants that were “hits “ and some that were “misses” in her experience.
The plants that she disliked were mostly ones that were very invasive. They may have beautiful flowers but soon take over a flowerbed, she noted. This included lysamachia firecracker, false spirea and Hymalayan impatiens.
Some of her favourite perennials were: primula, crocosmia, verbena and anemone.
Her “must have” annuals included giant cactus zinnia, cactus dahlia, canna lily and rudbeckias.
Duncan answered a number of questions and ended her presentation by extending an invitation to visit her flower garden during their annual plant sales.
During recess, lunch was served by Tammy Martin and Emma Bauman. Members took advantage of the opportunity to inspect the large number of entries for this show.
Business meeting
As part of the business meeting, Clara Bauman reported on the 2013 Ontario Horticultural Association Convention held in Thunder Bay. She related that in 2012, OHA members had put in a total of 461,624 volunteer hours across the province.
Jo Houston informed the group about the fall District 7 meeting which will be held on Oct. 26 in Guelph.
The next meeting will be held on Sept. 24 at the Moorefield Optimist Hall. The meeting will begin at 7:15pm with a mini-seminar on “Gourds” by Hannah Veld. Visitors are always welcome.
