Hibiscus Show and Plant Sale to feature hundreds of blooms

By MEGHAN BRADBURY news@breezenewspapers com

Unique single, double and miniature hibiscus blooms, both for judging and purchase, will fill the Sherrick Hall this month during the Annual Hibiscus Show and Plant Sale

Presented by the James E Hendry Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society, it will be held on April 29 from 1 to 3 p m at the First Assembly of God in Fort Myers Chapter President Beth Meehan said they are very excited to celebrate their 70th event.

“We are a chapter of the American Hibiscus Society One of our objectives is to promote the growing of hibiscus,” she said “This show gives people the chance to see these gorgeous flowers, and hopefully, interest them in growing hibiscus in their own yards ”

“People will be amazed at the variety of colors, shapes, and sizes of the blooms on display,” Meehan added “In the past people have asked me, 'Are these real?' Because they are just so spectacular ”

The chapter is expecting exhibitors from all over Florida to enter about 300 hibiscus blooms, which will be judged by the American Hibiscus Society judges. There are several different categories of blooms and exhibitors Those include single, larger than 5 inches in diameter with five base petals; doubles, larger than 5 inches in diameter and having additional petals besides the five base petals; miniatures, less than 5 inches in diameter; and seedling, a new variety grown from seed

“Besides judging based on classes of blooms, there will be various classes of exhibitors These include amateur, showing for their first two seasons; collector, owners of less than 75 varieties; open collector, owners of more than 75 varieties; and commercial, someone who

IF YOU GO:

What: Annual Hibiscus Show and Plant Sale

When: April 29 from 1 to 3 p m

Where: First Assembly of God, 4701 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers

Who: James E Hendry Chapter of the American Hibiscus Society sells plants,” she said “The combination of classes of blooms and classes of exhibitors will result in a spectacular head table with over 20 Best in Class ribbons and cash prizes ”

In addition to the show, there will also be a plant sale with 50 different varieties for a total of 650 plants The varieties for sale can be viewed at www hendrychapterhibisus com

“The plants are unique and not available in local nurseries. Besides the plants, there will be other hibiscus care products such as books, fertilizer and pruning clippers for sale,” Meehan said “Members of our chapter will be available to answer questions ”

She said they are a nonprofit organization that would not be able to put on such a great show without the support of their sponsors: Hooters, BGI Premium Plant Foods, Driftwood Garden Center, Wilford and Lee Home Accents, Edison National Bank, and Donna Sublett

Individuals can join the chapter during the show It meets monthly on the second Sunday at 1:30 p m from October to April at the Berne Davis Botanical Garden, at 2166 Virginia Ave., Fort Myers.

Cape Coral resident Denise Helfrich joined the chapter in late 2020 because she purchased a home with a plethora of hibiscus that the previous owner planted getting better, my blooms are getting better I am learning from the experts, they are very willing to share all of their information ”

What started off as a learning exercise has now become a hobby Helfrich said she has learned that the exotic hibiscus take a little more attention and care than some of the standard ones

“When they are blooming continuously, I go out and pick them and put them throughout my home I can see if something has changed If you don't pay attention, especially the hybrids, they won't bloom as profusely as some of the others,” she said

Helfrich said her plants are planted in her yard and deal with a lot of wind Her best blooming periods are from November through March She has more than 100 hibiscus, with about 30 being the same kind. Helfrich said she is now adding a collection of exotic hybrids to her collection

“I inherited oranges, yellows and reds, but I love pinks and purples I love the double hibiscus They are so full they look like large carnations,” she said

Helfrich hopes she has some blooms to enter into the show, as she has never competed outside of the meetings before

“I never attended a show before because during COVID they weren't having the shows and last year I was not able to attend,” she said

Helfrich said during the chapter meetings they have a mini show where members can bring in one of their blooms and practice

“To compete your flowers have to be perfect You h a v e t o p a y a t t e n t i o n , ” s h e s a i d o f t h e b l o o m s “Assuming that my hibiscus is blooming, I believe it is a creation of the previous owner and has not been named yet If it wins, I get the opportunity to name it ”

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t hendrychapterhibiscus com

The First Assembly of God is 4701 Summerlin Road, Fort Myers

Details: Free and open to the public ALLIANCE FOR THE ARTS

“I wanted to learn to take care of them,” she said “A member taught me how to take care of them and told me about the chapter Since then, not only have I learned, but I am starting to get more active in more things As I am

Tickets on sale now for the 13th annual FMFF

The Fort Myers Film Festival has announced official selections that will be screened at its 13th annual festival, to be held May 17-21 at the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center and other select venues around Fort Myers

‘The Future of Art’ exhibit to open at Alliance

The 31st Annual “The Future of Art: Student Exhibit” will be on display now through April 29 at the Alliance for the Arts, at 10091 McGregor Blvd , Fort Myers

Partnering with Lee Arts Educators Association, the show will feature artwork from Lee County elementary, middle and high schools with hundreds of works in a variety of mediums It will feature more than 40 schools and hundreds of works in a variety of mediums Winners will be selected in several categories and the Best in Show will be awarded

The exhibition is divided into the following sessions:

∫ Elementary/middle school was on display from April 5-14

∫ High school on display from now through April 29

The exhibit is sponsored by Florida South Western State College

F o r m o r e i n f o r m a t i o n , v i s i t https://www artinlee org /event/laea2023/