AUCKLAND ROSE SHOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22261, 8 November 1935, Page 15

AUCKLAND ROSE SHOW

TOWN HALL DISPLAY MAGNIFICENT ORCHIDS IRISES FROM ROTORUA Each year the Auckland Horticultural Society adds to its reputation among kindred bodies throughout the Dominion for the excellence of the displays which it makes in the Town Hall. It has gone far since the days when its shows were held under rather cramped conditions in the old Choral Hall and in marquees on the Metropolitan Ground next door. The visitor is no longer confronted with serried benches bearing blooms in formal rows; the emphasis is now upon general decorative effect, though the competitive classes still retain their old status and reflect even greater credit upon the gardeners of Auckland. The annual roso show, which was opened yesterday afternoon, is another testimony to the society's excellent organisation and the keenness of its members. Though handicapped by stormy weather and a late season, which have made it hard for rosogrowers to do themselves justice, the society has more than made up the deficiency with beautiful non-competi-tive displays of other flowers and with the excellence of its decorative arrangement. Charming Iris Garden The displays of orchids and' irises arc believed to be unique in the society's history. Altogether the show is one to delight every flower and garden lover. In the centre of the hall is an iris garden, surrounding a square of turf in which is a small pool with water-lilies and a delicate little statue of a water-nymph in cast lead. The whole is the work of the society's honorary architect, Mr. H. L. Massey, whose beautiful temporary gardens have been much admired at every show for some years past. Through the generosity of Mr. F. C. Mappin, a splendid display of some 70 varieties of orchids has been brought from his greenhouses in Mountain Road. The collection serves to show the wonderful range of shapes and colours which these plants exhibit. Members of the committee said yesterday that it should do much to encourage orchid-culture among those who have not yet attempted it. Another group which attracts many admirers is a huge collection of irises from the Wychwood Nurseries, Rotorua, which have also provided those used in the central display. There arc over 100 varieties in every shade ot bronze-brown, purple, heliotrope, mauve, gold and white. Rare kinds have been brought from England, Holland, Spain and the United States, and a few from Japan, though it is early vet for most of the Japanese varieties to be seen. • City Council's Display The Auckland City Council, which always co-operates most helpfully in the society's shows, has a garden display with a rose-covered pergola in the background and containing a mass of cinerarias, azaleas, cyclamens and roses embedded in moss. Most of the flowers are from the Domain gardens and Parnell Park, and the display has been arranged by the superintendent of parks, Mr. T. S. Aldridge, and the assistant-superintendent, Mr. G. i? ilmore. 6 In the space below the stage is a long bed of stocks and roses, with palms and "red-hot pokers," all fmm the Remuera garden of Mrs. Roy Wilson. The Auckland Racing Club has contributed a largo stand of calceolarias, which makes an imposing mass of rich browns and yellows. Rare flowering shrubs and others, such as dwarf Japanese maples, with beauti-fully-tinted foliage, are shown by Messrs. Duncan and Davies, of rvew Plymouth. This display includes a specimen of the Australian tea-tree, which has larger flowers than its rsew Zealand cousin, the manuka. Native Plant Section The competitive rose classes are good, considering % exceptionally bad season. It is probable that if the show could have been held even days later the exhibits would have been nearer to the usual standard, but competitors have done their best. The stands show tlio present-day trend away from the massive blooms which used to predominate at shows in years gone by, and toward a type of flower moro suitable for decorative use. the premier bloom is a deep roso pink "Una Wallace," grown at Remuera by Bishop E. A. Anderson. The Railways Department has provided a hue and varied exhibit from the Auckland station garden. , . . The classes for pansies and violas show an increased interest in these flowers. The championship in each case goes to Mr. R. K. F. Grace, of Remuera. There are many entries m the sections devoted to cut flowers, hardy cut flowers, rock plants in pots and decorative floral arrangement A competition of special value and interest is that for native flora. A challenge cup for this class has been provided by the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, and is awarded on an aggregate of points won at tlit* spring and rose shows. Ihe displays at the present show are a more than sufficient answer to those careless folk who say that Now Zealand has no native wild flowers worthy of notice Coming National Show Mr. E. Hickson, president of the society, who presided at the formal opening of the show, expressed his thanks to the many leading growers and other friends who had gone to much trouble in order to make it a success. He asked for support lor the National Flower Show, to be held at the Ellerslie racecourso during the first week in March. The location. Mr. Hickson said, was ideal, and he hoped that it would bo the "Chelsea show" of New Zealand. Mr. A. J. Fox, of Wellington, who declared the show open, congratulated the society on an excellent and artistic display. Ho urged Auckland home-owners to make a real effort to grow moro flowers and so increase the beauty of their already beautiful city. The show will bo open to-day from 10 a.m. to 9.30 p.m., and in the evening the usual sale of blooms will bo held. The prize list appears on page 16.