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Anniversary display
The old Masonic Hall in Warkworth will be the venue for a special Warkworth Garden Club display on Saturday, November 11, marking the town’s 170th anniversary. The display will feature eight categories of roses and five general floral categories including pot plants, single blooms and seven stems of mixed garden flowers. Entries can be submitted on the day, between 8.30am and 9.30am, and there is no limit on the number of times a person can enter. The winners will be chosen by judge Sally Greenwood. Doors will be open to the public from 10am to 3.30pm and entry is free. The garden club will stage its annual show in the Warkworth Town Hall next February.
Even a small garden can produce a winning bloom, according to long-time Warkworth Garden Club member Sally Greenwood, who will judge the Anniversary Display next month.
Sally and club president Lynne Crump are keen to promote the display (see panel above) to gardeners who may not have exhibited their flowers before.
The event will be a less formal version of the annual Rose & Flower Show, which will be staged in February.
“It will be a great opportunity for new growers to experience what a show is like without any pressure,” Lynne says. “Having the confidence to take that first step can be a barrier, but everyone has to start somewhere, and competing in garden club shows is a great way to learn.”
Sally says that when gardeners show their flowers, they are both sharing part of their garden and appreciating other people’s efforts.
“Once you start, you get the bug and it can become a passion. Warkworth has some beautiful gardens such as the ones you see in Ashmore Crescent.”
Although the annual shows are not as competitive as they once were, they lack nothing in quality.
“Every year, the NZ judges say the standard in Warkworth is as good as anywhere in NZ,” Sally says.
“One of the things I love most about the shows is seeing entries from new gardeners. I love encouraging the novices – it’s a real privilege.”
Lynne and Sally say that during covid, a lot of people literally stopped and smelled the roses, so they believe there must be a lot of new gardeners who could benefit from both joining one of the local clubs and showing their flowers at a local show.
Gardening clubs are a place to socialise with other like-minded people, and both men and women are welcome.
“Members share knowledge and experience, and the club meetings are the perfect place to find out what plants flourish in our area.”
New members are always welcome.
Some local garden clubs:
- Warkworth Garden Club meets on the third Tuesday of the month and has a varied programme throughout the year. For more information, go to: www.warkworthgardenclub.co.nz
- The Warkworth Library Gardening Club meets in the Warkworth Library or council rooms on the first Wednesday of the month, at 6.30pm. Info: warklib@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz
- Snells Beach Garden Circle meets at the Mahurangi East Community Centre on the second Wednesday of the month, at 1.30pm. Info: Barbara Carpenter 425 5371 or 027 2941 780 or Jeni Hart 09 473 5954 or 021 241 1007
- Kaipara Flats Garden Club usually meets in homes in the Warkworth area on the first Thursday of the month, at 10am. Info: Noelene Pyle 027 343 2298 or Jeni Hart 473 5954 or 021 241 1007
- Wellsford Horticultural Society meets at the Wellsford Community Centre on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1pm during winter (May-Aug). Bus trips are arranged in other months. Info: Carolyne Andrews 423 8614
- Point Wells Garden Circle formed 50 years ago and runs a programme of speakers and garden visits throughout the year. The group meets in the Point Wells Hall on the fourth Thursday of the month at 1.30pm. For inquiries to join this friendly group, email ptwellsgarden@gmail.com
The Anniversary Display programme, which includes competition categories, can be read here.
