BRILLIANT BLOOMS

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1930, Page 2

BRILLIANT BLOOMS

ENGLISH FLOWERS AT CHELSEA

LONDON, May 23

The Chelsea flower show opened in rather dull weather, but nothing could diminish the lbrillian.ee of the blooms displayed or the enthusiasm of the visitors, large numbers of whom took full advantage of the curly opening at 8 a.m.

The great marquee was crowded, and a centre of interest was the magnificent group of flowers put up by Messrs Sutton and Sons, of Read:ing. A remarkable feature <?f this exhibit was the fact that all the plants were annuals, and it seemed difficult to realise that only a year ago this wonderful display was no more than some packets of seeds. A great variety of annuals were shown, but some of the most effective were the trailing Lobelia gracilis, annual chrysanthemums, and the many-hued nemesias. Annuals and florists’ flowers were also excellently shown by Messrs Carter, of Raynes Park, whose group included tall pillars of Clarkia, cineraria, and a central fountain which was entirely surrounded by Sehizantlius.

Another outstanding exhibit was the group of carnations staged by Messrs Alhvood! It consisted of a tall central column of flowers from which floral baskets were suspended, and around which were arranged masses of border carnations and Dianthus Allwoodij. Some idea of the size of this group may be, obtained from the fact that over 1000 dozen carnations and 1000 bunches of D. Allwoodii were used. Of the perpetual flowering carnations, “Cattleva” was a pretty new variety exhibited, and one that was greatly admired by the Queen on the occasion of her visit to the show while a most attractive new variety of Allwoodii was “Rachel,” a pink singleflowered type, with a paler centre which was given an award of merit by the Floral Committee.

The orchid tent formed a complete show of its own, and after the masses of colour of the hardy flowers it was a relief to view flowers singly. A remarkably fine exhibit was the orchid group of Mr Lionel de Rothschild, who was awarded the Cain Cup for the best exhibit in the show put up b.y an amateur. In the centre of this group was a finely grown plant of Odpntioida “Radiance,” with flamecoloured flowers which received a cultural commendation.