Bloomin' Beautiful
SINCE time immemorial, man (and woman) has wanted to show off what they could achieve – the man returning from the hunt with the largest beast and the woman showing the fruit and vegetables gleaned from the forest.
As centuries went by and people began to live communally in villages and grow their own livestock and plants, there was always competition to see who could produce the finest pig, cow or sheep, whose hens laid the most nutritious eggs and whose garden plot could harvest the most produce.
At some time, this competition took the form of a local agricultural show where the exhibits were judged by people knowledgeable in their field and prizes were awarded for the best exhibits.
This helped to improve the standard – producing bigger and better and healthier and so on.
Probably the world’s most famous flower show is the Chelsea Flower Show, held every year in the grounds of Chelsea Hospital, London.
The first of these shows was in 1913 and it has been held every year since then, with gaps during the two world wars.
Many flower shows are held throughout Australia as well, both big and small.
One of the best known is Melbourne’s International Flower and Garden Show in autumn.
There are many shows in spring. Visiting one of these is something you won’t forget for a long time.
The beauty of the flowers and their perfume will literally take your breath away – and yes, roses do have perfume again because the growers realise this is what people want.
Melbourne is fortunate this year in being able to host the National Rose Show and Championships in Mount Waverley (www.rosesocietyvic.org.au).
This will be the biggest rose show of the year and will have exhibitors coming from all over Australia and visitors from around the world.
The best of the best will be on display and competing for the many prizes on offer. I will definitely be there; I would love to meet you, so please look me up.
