Delightful dahlias go on show
Exhibits at the National Dahlia Society Show were the best that’s been seen for years!
It has been an interesting year weather-wise, but it seemed like most growers in the country had got it right and the benches were full at the National Dahlia Society (NDS) Show at RHS Wisley Garden, with quality exhibits from all over the country. And what's really exciting for the future of the flower is the up-and-coming growers moving into the top-flight classes and doing well.
The ‘King of the Show’ was Steve Burns from Skelmersdale. He was the clear winner of The Individual Championship, and the Terry Clarke Perpetual Challenge Cup, with several best vases in show. He won best cactus with
‘Cream Moonlight’ which went on to win best vase of dahlias. His ‘Kiwi Gloria’ won the Terry Gillam Bikini Base Trophy for the best small cactus and his vase of ‘Winholme
Diane’ won best decoratives. Put together with great vases of ‘Kenora Challenger’ and
‘Barbarry Primrose Hall’, the entry won The D B Crane Cup for the best exhibit in show.
Another section that seems to be growing in popularity is the giant decoratives. This year the A T Barnes Perpetual Challenge Trophy for 12 blooms was won again by Tony Kingdom from Barnstaple with an exhibit that went on to be runner-up to the best exhibit in show. The variety of note was ‘John Hill’.
This bloom won the best giant in show.
Robert Read, a young grower who had some big plans earlier in the year, won the Intermediate Championship using ‘Kenora Challenger’, ‘Winholme Diane’ and ‘Mary’s Jomanda’. He also won the Dave Spencer Cup in the open classes for a small ball, miniature ball and pom, gaining his first open national award. To go with this he also staged and came fifth in the 12 giant decoratives.
Staying with new growers, Kevin Moores from Stevenage won the Charles S M Medlen Perpetual Challenge Cup for small decoratives and takes his first open trophy. And returning for the first time in 30 years, Robin Moyser picked up the best vase of ball dahlias for a vase of ‘Mary’s Jomanda’.
I managed to win The Wisley Challenge for five vases of dahlias using ‘Hapet Diane’ and two vases of ‘Gurtla Twilight’ and ‘Mary’s Jomanda’. In second place was Phil Watson.
Mentions also go to Ian Kitching who won the medium semi-cactus championship, Stewart Clensey who retained his hold on the nine vases of poms title, Dave Spencer taking the top spot for miniature decoratives, Darren Everest the winner of the miniature ball championship, Raymond Duffy for the fimbriated championship and all the other winners that made this event one to remember for years to come.