Spring’s Enchantment blossoms

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

Eulalia Jones’ impressive arrangement of red ginger plant wins a blue ribbon in the Ben Lomond Garden Club flower show, Spring’s Enchantment. (James Clark photos)

With a rush of blossoms and visual grace, Ben Lomond Garden Club presented a small standard flower show Thursday afternoon called Spring’s Enchantment.

The upscale Hickory Hills home of Robert and Pat Brown served as the backdrop for an eye-catching floral display that saw Eulalia Jones, Pat Bigbee, Shona Ringgenberg and Bette Myers emerge as the big winners.

Jones designed one of the most impressive arrangements to gain her blue ribbon. Its centerpiece was a red ginger plant, which is a tropical plant commonly found in Hawaii.

Jones has been a garden club member since 1972 and says azaleas and roses are two of her favorites to grow. When asked for some pointers about what makes a healthy rose, Jones said the key is to water and fertilize frequently.

“You can also try pine needles because roses like the acid,” Jones said. “Somebody was telling me today to pour your leftover coffee on them, not on the leaves but around the base. You’re always picking up new tips.”

Myers won the horticulture division with a stunning red and pink mountain laurel, which blooms in May. Myers said the mountain laurel is a shade lover like a rhododendron.

Myers also served as co-chair of the show along with Gayle Roberts.

“The big challenge is getting everything organized,” said Myers. “Our judges come from out of town and the judging took place from 10 a.m. to noon. Then the show is open to the public from 2 to 5 p.m.”

Emily Phillips was one of four children to submit an entry. Her unique arrangement featured a stretched Slinky to signify the fact spring has sprung and flowers are bursting with color.

Ben Lomond Garden Club has been in existence for 53 years and still includes one charter member, Connie Mullican.