SUMMER FLOWERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 32, 8 February 1939, Page 13

SUMMER FLOWERS

A FINE DISPLAY

TOWN HALL SHOW

The Wellington Town Hall, vastly improved by its recent renovation, is filled today with a most glorious collection of . brillian.t summer flowers. This is the Wellington Horticultural Society's final show of the 1938-39 season, and it marks an important change in policy. In all former years the season has extended to April, the chief attraction in that" month/being the chrysanthemum, a flower famous in history and tradition for thousands of years; But during recent times the chrysanthemum's' supremacy has been challenged by three young arid vigorous rivals; the dahlia, the gladiolus, and the hydrangea. Although this trio are all comparative newcomers to horticultural, circles; each is possessed of great riierit. All are "of easy culture, easy to propagate, and have an astonishing range of beautiful colours. The dahlia, a native of Mexico, has been worked upon extensively by hybridisers," and one or iriore of its many forms are , to be found in all gardens, large or small. The rich colours and stately habit of the gladiolus, which comes chiefly from South Africa, have made it a firm favourite, especially as a cut flower, while the range of colours in the modern hydrangeas makes these natives of Eastern Asia and the. Himalayas indispensable for garden and decorative purposes. .•...■-■ , ; ... ■~ .....'■•. RECORD ESTABLISHED. ■•■ . Other exhibits'in the" show include carnations, sweet peas, ' begonias, pahsies, vegetables, and a wide range of other.flowers. The entries in:all classes have been numerous, establishing a record for summer shows, and the general effect of the, arrangement of the stands is very strikirig. Always one of the best features of the show, the ladies! decorative stand is exceptionally attractive today. Rich, gorgedus flowers, others of more delicate shades, and graceful foliage have been combined with rare artistic skill: Bap^ets, bowls, vases, and other receptacles have been filled with the loveliest flowers of the season/The. effect is exquisite, a delight to the eye and a satisfaction to the Soul. < '; ■ On this occasion the non-competi-tive stand is iri ciaarge of Miss E. A. Beagley,' assisted by, Mrs. HI D. Bennett, and Mrs. W. Harvey, of Napier. Very fine hydrangeas in all the dainty shades of mauve, pink, and blue are most prominent. The centre piece is a lovely pale green jix filled with splendid specimen blooms of hydrangeas, all of which .were grown in Miss Beagley's own garden at Hataitai. Some fine examples of china figures are staged, a particularly striking, one being a lady dressed in a costume made of thousands of hydrangea petals. Another is. a coolie drawing a cart ,. laden with the most tempting fruits. A. large clear crystal. float bowl displaying rose hips is faultlessly , arranged. Gladioli and tall pink ~ tiger lilies, well-grouped in a shapely vase, add charm and dignity, to the stand. The whole effect is most harmonious, graceful, and refined. ■ -; Miss Archibold .(Mr. G. Bennett, gardener.) has- staged' ?a <;superb . collection of: hydrangeas'. '3Mrs. ; Knox: Gilmerj president of the society, is also exhibiting, as a private display, a charming group of hydrangeas. Mrs. Carter has arranged a beautiful basket of native foliage and flowers. The Parks and Reserves Department of the City Council has staged an excellent display of seasonable flowers. In a varied collection thalictrum, roses, coleus, verbenas, and a grand specimen of the rare orchid Sobralia macrantha '■atch the eye. The flower stall is in charge of Mrs. D.. Stafford, Wadestown, and the tearooms. are in' charge of, Mrs. G. S. Nicoll and Mrs. G. C: Clarke, there being a band of willing helpers in both The excellent trade displays are quite a feature of the show. Amongst them are those by A. J. Shailer and Son, Palmerston North, dahlias; Griffiths and Jenkins,: Karori, gladioli; R. H. Johnson, Karori, rock arid alpine plants; S: H. D. Peryman, gladioli arid miscellaneous flowers; T. C.Bilby, gladioli; H. Poole, begonias; Mrs. Fisher, floral emblems; and E. Anstiss and Sons', miscellaneous flowers. LODER CUP. The show was opened this afternoon by the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. Lee Martin), a feature, of .the ceremony being the presentation of the Loder Cup to : Mrs. Knox Gilmer. The Loder Cup is awarded annually for the most meritorious service in encouraging the protection and cultivation of the flora of the Dominion. The cup was presented by the late Lord Wakehurst (Mr. Gerald :_W.vE. Loder, Sussex, England),.., and,,■ was awarded for Mrs. Gilmer's. .continual interest in Arbor. Day, and ..practical- example in planting, cultivation, preservation, and legal and other: protection, of our native flora during 1938. ;