Annual Flower Show still blooming
by Sylene Argent
On Saturday, those interested in getting inspiration from carefully put together flower and herbal arrangements were able to visit the Essex & District Horticultural Society’s annual Flower Show, which was hosted in the basement of Essex United Church.
The annual show has become a tradition during the Essex Fun Fest weekend and provides the club’s members a chance to not only show off their gardening skills, but to also connect with community members who may be interested in this pastime.
Sandy Ellenor was this year’s Flower Show convenor. She said she was impressed with the turnout of entries into the event’s many categories, especially since the area experienced a lot of rain during the spring. The only category that seemed to have lower-than-normal entrants was the one that accepted rose arrangements.
This year’s Flower Show theme was “Anne of Green Gables,” and members of the club used the event to also host a rummage and bake sale to raise a few extra funds for their local horticultural soceity.
During the Flower Show, a panel of judges assessed the entries submitted into each category, and further awarded a handful of major trophies to deserving participants.
Member Susan Purdy won the “Best Arrangement” award for her submission that contained lilies, carnations, baby’s breath, hostas, and irises.
Margaret Dudley won the “Best Dried Arrangement” and “Best Herb Arrangement” awards, while Hazel Smith earned the “Best Rose” award.
Aletha Purdy won the “Best Junior Division” award for her arrangement that included dahlias, lilies, and hydrangeas.
The Flower Show, Ellenor said, is a great way for the club’s around 70 members to show the public what they can do and what the horticultural society is all about.
The Essex & District Horticultural Society hosts meetings from September to June on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. at the Essex Retirees’ Social Club. Special guest lecturers share gardening tips at each of the meetings. The club members also enjoy putting on plant exchanges and taking a gardening-centered field trip each year.