Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 18, 1991 TAG: 9104190318
SECTION: NEIGHBORS PAGE: S-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RANDY WALKER SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Such was the origin - in Greek mythology, at least - of the narcissus, also called the daffodil.
The beauties of the daffodil were on full display at the Garden Club of Virginia's 57th Annual Daffodil Show April 9 and 10 at the Holiday Inn Tanglewood.
Gardeners from across the state entered 951 stems and 66 arrangements. The interclub arrangements division featured entries by 39 of the Garden Club of Virginia's 45 member clubs.
The show was sponsored for the second consecutive year by the Mill Mountain Garden Club, one of two Garden Clubs of Virginia groups in Roanoke. The other is the Roanoke Valley Garden Club, which helped out by entertaining some of the visiting dignitaries.
The show rotates around the state, and a club usually keeps it for two years. "Usually you learn the ropes in the first year, and the second you know how to do it," said Belle Smith, co-chairman.
One reason the show rotates is so that no part of the state gains an unfair advantage in competition, according to Virginia Guild, the state president. Because of Virginia's varied climate, daffodils from different regions peak at different times.
Freshness is one of the qualities the judges look for when evaluating the horticultural entries. They also look for perfection in size, shape and color.
William and Kit Pannill of Martinsville dominated the horticultural division. "They tend to just walk away with the horticultural awards," Smith said. William Pannill took home the Garden Club of Virginia Cup for Horticultural Sweepstakes, awarded to the exhibitor winning the greatest number of blue ribbons.
Gardeners competed in 12 divisions including long cups, short cups and trumpets. There are over 20,000 varieties of daffodil, according to judge Dianne Mrak. The profusion of yellow, orange and white blooms in the Holiday Inn ballroom represented only a fraction of these.
In addition to trying to produce the most exquisite blooms, gardeners vied for best arrangement. The Flower Show Chairmen's Cup for Best Arrangement In Show went to Jane Dressler of Roanoke.
All entrants, whether they win or not, have a chance to learn something about hybridization and other topics of interest to daffodil growers. The show is "a service thing so the public can enjoy it and we can learn," Smith said.
"There's so much to learn about the species and the propagation of it."
The show is not a money maker for the Mill Mountain Garden Club. To cover expenses, "we raise some [money] among the members, and the Garden Club of Virginia sends us some money also," Smith said.
The Garden Club of Virginia, established in 1920, does more than put on flower shows. "Restoration is the thrust of the Garden Club of Virginia," says Guild.
The club recently completed the restoration of the gardens at Bacon's Castle and is working on Montpelier, the estate of James Madison near Orange.
Money for the projects is raised through Historic Garden Week, which comes to Roanoke on April 27. Several private gardens and homes will be open to the public, and all proceeds go toward restoring historic gardens in Virginia.
Mill Mountain Garden Club participates in Historic Garden Week and has several projects of its own. The club developed and maintains the 2 1/2-acre wildflower garden next to Mill Mountain Zoo. The work is financed through the recycling of aluminum cans and newspapers collected by members. Club members also helped set up the community recycling station at Cycle Systems.
"We just are always interested in conservation and recycling," club president Edith Page Breakell said.
During May, club members teach a series of five classes, the Flower and Garden Course. The course is designed to introduce the public to the basics of flower gardening. For information, call 343-9089 or 343-6847.
by CNB