After a tough winter .. sun shines for Garden Club's Spring Show

However, spring weather arrived just in time and the seasonal flowers, especially the daffodils, were at their peak during the show weekend which was held in Broughshane Community Centre.

Bob Gordon from Portglenone, who is President of the Ulster Group of the Alpine Garden Society, opened the event and distributed the prizes.

Entries for the daffodil classes were the highest for many years and attracted exhibitors from all parts of the province.

The Floral Art Section also provided an opportunity for gardeners at all levels to demonstrate their artistic talent and pot plant, cut flowers, flowering shrub and cacti classes were well supported. The display of camellia and magnolia blooms was particularly impressive.

miniature gardens

Primary school pupils demonstrated their creativity by producing miniature gardens, collages and animals constructed from fruit and/or vegetables as well as exhibiting in their own daffodil class and a new colouring competition proved popular with the younger exhibitors.

The Club wishes to acknowledge the support given by the following businesses in providing prizes:- Montgomerys, Ballymena; Coleman’s Garden Centre, Templepatrick; Bali-Hai Nursery, Carnlough; Samore Plant Centre, Martinstown; James McNeill, Broughshane; Montrose Garden Supply Company, Ballymena and Ben Vista Nursery, Ahoghill

The award winners were...

Daffodil Classes

Montgomerys Prize for the best daffodil bloom in the Show: Derrick Turbitt.

Guy Wilson Memorial Cup together with a prize presented by Montgomerys, Ballymena for twelve varieties of daffodil, one stem of each, selected from at least three Divisions: Derrick Turbitt.

Red, White & Blue Ribbon of the American Daffodil Society awarded for five varieties, American raised, one bloom of each, staged in one vase: Nial Watson.

Laughlin Cup together with a voucher presented by James McNeill, Broughshane awarded for a collection of six varieties, three stems of each selected from at least three Divisions: Brian Duncan.

Creighton Cup together with a voucher presented by Ballymena Garden Club awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Single Bloom Classes: Brian Duncan.

Christina McCleary Cup together with a prize presented by Montgomerys, Ballymena awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Miniature and Special Daffodil Classes: Brian Duncan.

Crawford Cup together with a voucher presented by Samore Plant Centre, Martinstown awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Amateur Senior Collection Classes: Richard McCaw/George Wilson.

Frazer Cup together with a voucher presented by Montrose Garden supply Company, Ballymena awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Amateur Senior Single Bloom Classes: Richard McCaw.

Martin Cup together with a voucher presented by Bali-Hai Nursery, Carnlough awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Novice Classes: David Pinkerton.

Prize presented by Ballymena Garden Club awarded to the exhibitor with the highest points in the Beginners Classes: Jill Pinkerton.

Best Bloom – Division 1: Derrick Turbitt.

Best Bloom – Division 2: Nial Watson.