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Burnett: Garden show celebrates local gardening and history

The Kelowna Garden Club was established in 1924, believed to be one of the oldest established clubs of its kind in our province.

Don BurnettIt’s time again for the Kelowna Garden Club to holds its annual Flower Show at Guisachan Gardens, 1060 Cameron Av., on Saturday June 25.

In its 19th year, the doors open at 11 a.m. and activities go until 3 p.m.

The Kelowna Garden Club was established in 1924, believed to be one of the oldest established clubs of its kind in our province.

The members meet the first Wednesday of each month from March through June, take a break for summer, then resume meeting from September to December.

Membership includes all levels of gardeners from novice to expert.

The club has several master gardeners ready to offer their expertise to their gardening buddies.

The Kelowna Garden Club is the place to learn from others, show off your garden successes and mingle with like-minded people.

While annual membership in the club is a modest $15/person, you can also get a family membership for only $20.

As a member, you can attend all the Wednesday meetings and be able to enjoy a different featured speaker each time out.

As well, there are parlour shows where members can enter various flowers and arrangements for prizes.

There are plant sales and two social events which are members and guests only—the annual Summer Picnic and Christmas Party in December.

Each year, some of the members open their gardens to the rest of the club for exclusive viewings, where everyone can share ideas and themes.

Periodically, the club will arrange excursions to other places such as a trip to Butchart Gardens.

The premiere event the club puts on is the upcoming gardening show at Guisachan.

What a delight to see all the entries into the flower show as well as enjoy the various gardening related demonstrations.

Have you ever thought you might want to enter a favourite rose, delphinium or pansy in a flower show and win a ribbon or even a trophy?

It’s fun and easy to do.

For a list of categories and rules just go to the Kelowna Garden Club website.

Last year, I entered a blossom from my evergreen magnolia and if the timing is right I will do the same again this year.

I’m also keeping an eye on my roses—both hybrid tea’s and miniatures.

Sometimes the decision as to what I will enter is made early Saturday morning the day of, as freshness is key.

Included in the demonstration booths are woodworking people, floral art displays and original paintings.

Bee specialist Sharon McKenna will be there and this is something everyone should see including the children.

Every year I take a group for a walkabout through these beautiful gardens and I will be doing this again this year at 1:30 p.m.

We mustn’t forget how historical and important these grounds are to our city, as during my walkabout I will explain the history of the Aberdeen and the Cameron families from the late 1800s through to today.