High turnout for lily show

Keri Smith with her award-winning floral art entry and the trophy she won for it. PHOTOS: GILLIAN VINE

Despite miserable weather in the leadup to its show on Saturday, the Otago Lily Society’s annual event attracted more entries than last year.

Otago Lily Society president Louise Ardley (left) presents Laura Hudson with an award for her giant white Oriental lily (top left).

Last week’s Star story encouraged a number of new exhibitors, among them Laura Hudson, of North East Valley, a winner with a giant Oriental lily stem.

Victoria Chapman with some of her award-winning entries.

Another novice, Victoria Chapman, of Mosgiel, decided at the last minute to put in some entries. It paid off. Her lilies won several awards, including best novice floret (individual flower) and champion novice stem, the latter a near-perfect tiger lily that was narrowly beaten for best in show.

Judge Rex Lyes gives Shirley Johnstone (left), of Milton, and Lexy Tipa, of Balclutha, some tips on judging lilies.

Guest judge and New Zealand Lily Society president Rex Lyes, of Rangiora, said the only flaw in Victoria’s stem was that one flower had lost a petal.

The overall best stem award went to Neil and Julie Judd, of Fairfield; the top photograph was by Margaret Dodds, of St Clair; while James Cordry, of Maia, won the top novice floral art entry.

Paige Helm, 6, admires a lily entered by her grandmother.

The best decorative entry (open) was Keri Smith’s Summer Spectacle, the St Kilda woman combining an array of pink flowers, including lilies to win the society’s shield.

Although some allowance had to be made for rain spotting on leaves, there were many fine lilies on show, Mr Lyes said.