If you didn’t make it to the Wilmington Garden Club’s Flower Show at the Clinton County Historical Society, you missed out on a truly exquisite event. Garden club members as well as members of the public entered stunning specimens lovingly grown and tended in their own gardens.
Horticulture was judged first. Sections included roses, annuals, perennials, lilies, gladiolus, hostas and more. Ohio Association of Garden Clubs judge, Joy Culler, of London, Ohio, had a difficult time declaring one resplendent cutting more worthy than another.
As she judged, she educated the spectators on what she was looking for and then bestowed a first, second, and third place honor in each category.
After all Horticulture sections had been judged a best ofs Show was named. Terri Thobaben won with her near flawless Hosta Elegans. Known to put on a show, Elegans produces huge, heavily-textured, rounded powdery-blue leaves and dramatic white flowers.
After a short break, Horticulture judging continued with Container Grown Plants. This section included fern, coleus, blooming or berried shrubs, hydrangea, cactus, and more.
Jennilou Grotevant won best of show with her beautiful flowering Streptocarpus (Striped throat), a popular house plant.
Debbie Hirsch won best of show in the Artistic Design division with her pink and white bridal bouquet. “It’s a Wedding” was the Artistic Design theme which complemented the Historical Societies Wedding dress exhibit, “Here Comes the Brides.” Categories in that division were Bridal bouquet, Bridal Table, Groom – straight and tall, Wedding Favor – 5” miniature, Family Table Setting and Honeymoon Destination
Susan Hunt, a Wilmington Garden Club member since 2003, chaired this event. Susan’s knowledge, enthusiasm and leadership has taken our club to a new level. She was discouraged that our usual Summer Flower Show was dwindling each year in numbers so she made a change and she successfully turned it around. At least 35 contestants entered the show, most with more than one entry.
The lawn of the Historical Society was set up with tents for shade as well as for art displays and sales. Refreshments were served as gardening enthusiasts leisurely enjoyed a day of beauty.
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