Dahlias are a show favourite

Dazzling dahlias.

By Beatrice Hawkins

The Warwick Horticultural Society will hold its annual Autumn Flower Show in St Mary’s Hall on Wednesday 8 March.
One of the many wonderful displays at the autumn show is always the huge range of dahlias, from tiny pompons to the really large, spectacular flowers and all the cactus and assorted varieties in between and in every colour.
There are some specialist dahlia growers that always support the show extremely well and the display is well worth coming to see.
However, visitors shouldn’t be intimidated because there are also classes for novice growers.
Roses are always a feature of the horticultural shows and, as Warwick is ‘Rose City’, this is to be expected.
Although there will not be the number available in March that there was in October, I am sure Warwick gardeners will have some spectacular blooms to exhibit.
The season has not been kind to gardeners in recent weeks with hot days, wind and little rain but I am sure our local gardeners will find many things to bring along and enter.
At this time of harvest we should see a good range of melons, pumpkins, squash and other vegetables on display.
Schedules can be picked up from Bryson’s Place, so have a look at the many sections and classes and see what you have in the garden that you can enter.
Shows would not be a success without you, the exhibitors, and every entry helps make a great display.
After the good entries and competition from the various schools in the October garden competition it would be really great to see the schools encourage the young people to enter classes 173-179 that have been especially designed for them.
Also to enter any produce from the school gardens. It is always good to encourage the gardeners and exhibitors of the future.
If you have nothing to enter from your own garden, come and have a look at the wonderful display and get inspired ready for next year.
Fresh sandwiches, assorted home-made treats and Devonshire tea or coffee will be served from noon on Wednesday and from 9am on Thursday, with plants, jams, lemon butter and home-made delicacies to take home.
So come, meet some friends, relax and enjoy a display of the bounties and beauties of nature.