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After more than 100 years of horticultural excellence, the Warkworth Garden Club is ringing the changes this year by moving its annual Town Hall flower show to February.
Traditionally, the club has staged a show focused on roses every November, but after covid, its centenary and the loss of two stalwart rose growers, the committee decided to rethink the event’s timing and content.
The result is a later show that will be held on Friday, February 23, which can accommodate a wider range of summer flowers, as well as fruit and vegetables as well.
Show convenor Annette Sharp says the new show is aimed at encompassing more gardeners and growers, rather than focusing on the somewhat specialised world of rose-growing, although roses will still be included.
“There are not many other flower shows held at this time of the year,” she says. “We think this will change the type of flowers we have being judged and on display – fewer roses, though still some of course, and more flowers like dahlias, hibiscus, hydrangeas, alstroemerias and so on. They are all so stunning and reflective of our local area.”
There are four sections – Roses, Dahlias, General Flowers & Foliage (including pots) and Fruit & Vegetables – with 34 different classes: nine for roses, seven for dahlias, a dozen for general flowers, and five fruit and veg.
There is no limit to the number of entries per person in each class, nor any on the size of any potted entries – if you can carry it, you can enter it, Sharp says.
Nine cups and trophies will be awarded to winners, as well as $50, $10 and $5 vouchers from sponsors for section place-getters.
All entries must be notified to the garden club by February 22 (see below for details) and the Town Hall doors will be open to exhibitors for staging between 7.30am and 9.30am on show day. Judging starts at 10am, before the public is allowed in for viewing from noon to 5pm, with prize giving at 1pm.
There will also be plant sales and raffles, and admission costs $2, under 16s free.
Show schedules are available from Mahurangi Matters, and Warkworth, Mahurangi East and Point Wells Libraries.
Entries should be notified to Jocelyn Sharp by 3pm on Thursday, February 22 on 09 425 7724, 021 159 7332 or jocelynsharp1180@gmail.com
Info: https://www.warkworthgardenclub.co.nz
List of trophies
Freda Holt Trophy: Champion of Champions Rose
Cruickshank Cup: most points in Roses
Flora Reilly Cup: most points in Dahlias
Campbell D’Arcy Cup: most points in General Flowers & Foliage
Helen & Henry Phibbs Trophy: most points in Fruit and Vegetables
Warkworth Garden Club Cup: most fragrant rose
President’s Cup: President’s choice from Dahlias, General Flowers & Foliage
Perpetual Challenge Rose Bowl: Most points accumulated in Roses, Dahlias, General Flowers & Foliage, and Fruit and Vegetables
Sesquicentennial Cup: Best in show
