The Central Daffodil Group had a day out at the Central Dahlia Group Summer Show , on Saturday 18 February . As we have quite a few exhibitors who show both Daffs and Dahlias , it is a good opportunity for a bulb sales table .We had a quiet sales day ; visitor numbers to the show were low , – a lot of local events on a busy mid summer weekend .The venue is the same room that we had our late Daff Show in ; we use the Dahlia Group staging for our daff shows in this converted small bore shooting range .Some familiar faces at the sales tables .
A good range of both exhibition and strong garden bulbs , ready for the rush that never came .
The dahlia numbers were also down a little as it has been a very difficult growing season and we have had some very strong and damaging winds and a lot of rain recently . The growers were pleased with the flowers that made the benches and , as usual , they make a very colourful display .
A good Champions Table .
Show Champion , — Vase of 5 RYECROFT JAN , grower Frank Newman , also a daff exhibitor .
Reserve Champion , — ELMA ELIZABETH , grower Dennis Clifton , also a daff grower , a big , round flower .
In August 2016 , we sadly lost Kevin Sherlock , a long time supporter of all flower shows in our central region .Dahlias were his specialty ; he has bred many Champion blooms , — I spotted 4 on the benches here .
KEA JULIE , – orange ; – KEA LYN – bright red .
BLUSH OF DAWN , – light lavender tones . ; BRYN TERFEL , a giant dec , winning worldwide .
A few other warm tones here .GRAYVAL SUNKIST , – orange and reddish tones . – TIOGA LOVESONG , – LAVENDER TONES .
Always attractive – POOH , — ; the very dark ARABIAN KNIGHT .
A few more warm summer colours to help you through the final ( hopefully ) storms of the northern winter .
As we were well overstaffed and sales were slow mid afternoon , I wandered further into the big MANFIELD PARK complex to watch a few cars on the racing circuit – quite a change in camera settings . An interesting and varied day before more heavy thunderstorms that evening .
We have had over 6 inches rain in February . The very early Paperwhites , from Bill Welsh seed , are already well through the ground . They usually start flowering about late April .
Thanks for the photos, John, the dahlias are wonderful the Champion vase is pristine. Good to see some familiar faces manning the sales table!
Wow, Quality dahlias.