Horticultural show entrants undeterred by bad weather

North Otago Horticultural Society committee member Susan Gilbert was one of the many people to...
North Otago Horticultural Society committee member Susan Gilbert was one of the many people to enter in the society’s summer show. PHOTO: RUBY HEYWARD
Despite bad weather leading up to the event, the North Otago Horticultural Society’s summer show went ahead at the weekend in Oamaru’s Scottish Hall.

Held on Saturday and yesterday, the event attracted about 270 entries in categories ranging from floral art and vegetables to cut flowers.

Society committee member Susan Gilbert said the winning entries were usually assessed on their "perfection" by specialist judges.

There were fewer vegetables and cut flowers on show, likely due to the cold and wet weather, Mrs Gilbert said.

"The weather hasn’t been kind to us," she said.

Though there was a decent number of entries, the society was feeling the loss of some of its members who had died before this year’s show, Mrs Gilbert said.

The society always welcomed new members, she said.

"You grow all these things and you want to show them."

That was how many people got involved with the society, and how it began 154 years ago.

Society committee member Robyn Rayne said the society was started in 1868 as a way for gardeners of large estates to show off their exotic fruits, vegetables and flowers.

Mrs Gilbert said it was common for entire estate gardens to be laid out before the houses were even built.

These days, the society was open to anyone with a passion for gardening.

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