The "Fair-est" flowers of them all - Hillsboro Garden Club makes flower specimen selections for Highland County Fair
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The Hillsboro Garden Club has made their flower specimen selections for the Highland County Fair in September. Young gardeners planning to exhibit their flower specimens on Wednesday, September 8, will be planting and presenting the recently introduced Denver Daisy, a hardy, late blooming, drought resistant perennial with enormous flowers. Bred from native species, this new twist on Black-eyed Susan sports 6-8 inch blooms with pure yellow petals surrounding a dark red center. It thrives in full sun and attracts butterflies in the summer and birds in the late fall. Seed packets are available from Park Seeds.
The two specimens selected for Garden Club members will be shown Friday, September 10.
The first selection, the double-flowered Mumsy marigold, has all the virtues of marigolds plus the size and wow factor of a mum. The spiky, frilly petals on huge blooms add color and texture to the garden and bear lavishly, setting new buds as quickly as they are cut, blooming from spring to fall.
The second selection, zinnia 'Zahara Starlight Rose', tolerant of heat, humidity, and drought, has nonstop blooms of large pure white petals with a hot-rose center halo. It was 2010 All America Selections Award for best bedding plant for its great looks, ease of growth and extended blooming season.
Seeds for both plants are available from Park Seeds.
To complement the emphasis toward drought resistant plants, a feature of all three of this year's special class varieties, the educational exhibit topic will be xeriscaping, landscaping for drought conditions.
Myrna Cordray, Master Judge of the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs will judge this year's Highland County Fair flower entries. For more information regarding the Junior Special Class competition, contact Rose Marie Cowdrey, 937-466-2317.
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