Daffodil show in Morristown
April 22, 2005
By VERA LAWLOR
SPECIAL TO THE RECORD
WHAT: The New Jersey Daffodil Society Show.
WHERE: Frelinghuysen Arboretum, 53 E. Hanover Ave., Morristown.
WHEN: 1 to 4 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
HOW MUCH: Free.
Daffodils that look Liz Elwood straight in the eye have the best shot at winning a ribbon during the New Jersey Daffodil Society Show today and Saturday at the Frelinghuysen Arboretum in Morristown.
That is, if they also are fresh, clean, free of color streaks and nicks, and are in a perfect stage of development, says the certified daffodil judge and member of the New Jersey and American Daffodil societies.
The annual indoor event will be a sea of color and fragrance again this year as more than 900 daffodils will be exhibited. Also featured will be an "other than daffodil" section highlighting early bloomers in the wildflower and flowering-branch families. Floral arrangements, compliments of garden clubs throughout North Jersey, will offer a variety of design ideas using daffodils as the central theme.
"This show is very much about educating people," said Shirley Cameron of Englewood, representative for the event. "Visitors will see that daffodils are not just yellow; they come in many different varieties and colors, including white and pink."
Those varieties, notes the Royal Horticultural Society, fall into 13 divisions, and each one will be represented at this show.
Experts will be on hand to respond to visitors' questions and to offer advice on purchasing bulbs as well as the best time and locations for planting.
"Daffodils are a great flower to have in the garden because they are easy to grow and somewhat poisonous to animals, so they tend to stay away from them," said Elwood, who has more than 1,000 varieties in her Rumson garden. "To me, they are spring personified."
And you don't have to be an experienced grower to enter. Anyone with a beautiful daffodil he or she can identify is encouraged to participate.Entries will be accepted at the arboretum from 6 to 9 a.m. today.
"Last year I entered some really good-looking daffodils, but it was someone who had entered for the very first time who took best in show," Cameron said. "I told him I would be ready for him this time around."
LEARN ABOUT WILDFLOWERS:
Nancy Bristow will lead a Wildflower Walk to view early bloomers in the Wildflower Garden at the New Jersey Botanical Garden, Ringwood, 10 a.m. to noon Saturday.
Wear comfortable shoes. Rain or snow cancels.
Reservations required. $3 donation. Information: (973) 962-7527 or njbg.org.
The Weis Ecology Center, Ringwood, sponsors wildflower hikes with associate naturalist George Petty, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, May 7 and 21 and June 4. Participants will learn when and where to look for hard-to-see plants in bloom.
Includes damp terrain and a few moderately steep climbs, so wear appropriate footwear. Bring water. Heavy rain postpones to the following day.
Groups limited to 20. $8. (973) 835-2160 or njaudubon.org.
FLOWER SHOWS AND PLANT SALES
Sale of perennials, annuals, vegetables, herbs, trees, shrubs, vines and ground cover, as well as hanging baskets and potted plants, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 30 and May 1. New Jersey State Botanical Garden, Ringwood State Park. Master gardeners will be on hand to offer advice on choosing and caring for plants. Free. Information: (973) 962-7527.
Middlesex County Master Gardener Plant Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 30 at Cook College Campus, 59 Biel Road, New Brunswick. Featuring more than 40 varieties of tomatoes (including many heirloom varieties), 60 different herbs and more than 10 varieties of hot peppers. Free. Information: (732) 932-7617.
Plant sale featuring unusual trees, shrubs and perennials, as well as a rhododendron truss show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 and 8. Rutgers Gardens, 112 Ryders Lane, New Brunswick. Also featuring garden tours, children's activities and food vendors. Free; parking $2. Information: (732) 932-8451.
Plant sale, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 7 at Van Vleck House and Gardens, 21 Van Vleck St., Montclair. Among the plants featured will be woodland varieties, sun worshipers, shade lovers, ground cover, pre-planted containers, plants that attract butterflies and birds and deer-resistant options. Garden specialists on hand to offer advice. Information: (973) 744-0837.
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