The Clifford and District Horticultural Society Summer Flower Show offered public viewing of 294 exhibits of flowers, floral designs, photos, vegetables, and vegetation exhibited by eight youth and 17 adult members of the society last month.
Youth member Nathan Giles spied a first place ribbon on his potato head creation and Becky Walters was elated to learn she had earned a first for her garden.
Georgie Hutchison announced eight youth entered 71 exhibits, three juniors showed 25 items, and five youth aged 10 to 16 exhibited 46 entries. The children garden with their parents or grandparents and the five who planted gardens regularly donated items to the Clifford Food Bank for the “Plant a Row, Grow a Row” project.
Barb Harris noted that judge Gwen Scarrow was impressed with the number and quality of entries. She was particularly proud of the perfect ball dahlia.
Winners with the most points in each class were announced, including:
– cut flowers, Carol Lange;
– gladiolus, Carol Lange;
– grasses, Isabel Senek;
– roses, Barb Harris;
– potted plants, a tie between Jean Yenssen and Eleanor Litt;
– fruits and vegetables, Carol Lange;
– designs, Jean Yenssen; and
– photography, Ray Harris.
The President’s Choice award went to Carol Lange while Elsie Grummett placed second.
Guest speaker Jeff Davies of Davishill Nurseries brought in a selection of plants to demonstrate two fall planter designs. He suggested that a concrete planter will weather the winter, but a terra cotta planter may be cracked and broken by spring.
Society president Bill Cheesman reported that Bruce and Georgie Hutchison looked after the “Beat the Pro” fundraiser at the recent Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament in Minto. A share of the proceeds will help the society purchase new flower planters for the main street. The fall plant sale was held at the pavilion on Sept. 4.
The district annual general meeting will be hosted by the Elora and Salem Horticultural society on Oct. 27.
The next meeting of the Clifford society will feature Clarke Birchard on attracting and enjoying birds.
