A flower show and general planting maintenance of our Charleston Square is all in the spring’s work for the Charleston Magnolia Garden Club (CMGC).
The CMGC prepares each year to present their best efforts of the annual flower show to the general public after the judges make their adjudication. In addition, the Square has to have its bi-annual facelift by planting flowers suited for weather and the hot summer coming upon us.
On a Tuesday in the last day of April, judges and members converged on the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston to construct a show and view it. After being offered refreshments that Martha Joe Venable and Annette Montgomery arranged on plates that spoke of flowers and beauty given, the six judges wandered the rooms and murmured delight at the offerings of petals and plants.
The general public entered the church to view the results of judging and it was glorious! The horticulture and the flowers in their different classes were a huge success and all who saw the presentations were complimentary. It should be noted that the work is carried out by the CMGC during three days of intense concentration.
Here is a list of categories and winners:
Division I, Design, “Growing Spiritually”
Section A. “Church Gatherings” — Class 1. “Vacation Bible School” blue ribbon winner, Annette Montgomery; Class 2. “Gospel Singing” blue ribbon winner Celia Williamson; Class 3. “Lady’s Social” blue ribbon winner Carol Bullard; Table Artistry award winner, Carol Bullard
Section B. “Church Ceremonies” — Class 4. “June Bride” blue ribbon winner, Sassy Mauldin; Class 5. “Christening” blue ribbon winner, Joy Montgomery; Class 6. “Reviving Your Spirit” blue ribbon winner, Flora Vance; Designer’s Choice award winner, Sassy Mauldin
Club Award: Winner of the Mary Harpole Award for most outstanding design depicting the theme of the show, Creative Mass design in Class 4, “June Bride” by Sassy Mauldin
Award of Design Excellence winner, Sassy Mauldin
Division II, Horticulture, “Growing in Our Community” Sections and Classes
Section titles are named after Magnolia Garden Club projects in Charleston.
Section A. “Welcome to Charleston,” cut specimen from Flowering Perennial Award of Merit winner, Paeonia “Festive Maxima,” Jeanie Hobson
Section B. “Triangle Planting,” cut specimen from Foliage Perennial Award of Merit winner, Fatshedera lizei “Variegata,” by Carol Bullard
Section C. “School of Garden,” Cut flower from Bulbous Plant Award of Merit winner, Iris fulva, by Carrie Rice
Section D. “Healing Garden,” cut branch from a Flowering Shrub or Tree Arboreal award winner, Aesculus pavia, Buckeye, by Celia Williamson
Section E. “Courthouse Landscape,” cut branch from a Foliage Shrub or Tree Arboreal award winner, Pittosporum tobira “Variegata.” bu Carol Bullard
Section F. “Town Square,” flowering container-grown plant Grower’s Choice award winner, Begonia sp. “Mrs. Townsend,” by Carol Bullard
Section G. “Main Street,” foliage container-grown plant Grower’s Choice award winner, Hosta sp. “Blueberry Muffin,” by Carol Bullard
Section H. “Horse Trough,” cut decorated foliage Award of Merit winner, Thaumatophyllum stenolobum, by Carol Bullard
Section I. “Kindergarten Garden,” cut dwarf/miniature/naturally small growth foliage or flowering specimen, Elfin Award winner, Hosta sp. “Twice as Mice,” by Carol Bullard
Section J. “Walking Trail,” cut dwarf/miniature/naturally small growth arboreal specimen, Elfin Award winner, Magnolia grandiflora “Teddy Bear,” by Carol Bullard
Section K. “Gateway Festival,” cut dwarf/miniature/naturally small growth container-grown plant, Elfin Award winner, Hosta sp. “Tick Tock,” by Carol Bullard
Section L. “TGH Courtyard,” collections, minimum of five different specimens, Collector’s Showcase Award winner, collection of miniature and small variegated Hosta, by Carol Bullard
Club Award: Winner of the Emily Etheridge Award for most outstanding native plant in the Horticulture Division, Baptista indigo, by Allison Ashmore
Award of Horticultural Excellence winner, Thaumatophyllum stenolobum, by Carol Bullard
Division III, Education “Growing in Knowledge”
Section A. “It’s All About What You Know” Eligible for the Educational Top Exhibitor Award
Exhibit 2. “Charleston’s Magnolia Garden Club Projects” blue ribbon winner and Education Top Exhibitor Award, Allison Ashmore
Division IV, Botanical Arts, “Growing Community Gardens”
Section A. “Spring Decorating” Artistic Crafts
Class 1. “Potting Party,” decorated 8” clay flowerpots, blue ribbon winner, Carrie Rice
Class 2. “Gardening is for the Birds,” decorated bird house, blue ribbon winner, Annette Montgomery
Class 3. “Diggin’ in the Dirt,” decorated garden shovel, blue ribbon winner, Sassy Mauldin
Winner of the Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts Award: Annette Montgomery
