Bring out the perennials, roses, lilies, houseplants, herbs, vegetables and all the season's worth of garden beauties to the 51st Annual Horticulture Show.
The 11th District of the Minnesota State Horticulture Society invites all six clubs in the district, and the public, to this year's "Fun in the Sun" exhibit to be held Thursday, Aug. 5, in the Minnesota State Community and Technical College in Detroit Lakes.
The six districts include garden clubs from Detroit Lakes, Lake Park, Perham, Mahnomen, Ada and Beltrami.
They will compete in the annual show that features more than 500 arrangements and designs in all kinds of shapes and sizes.
"Some people think it's only flowers but that's not correct because we have herbs, vegetables, etc.," said Betty Smith, co-chair of the event.
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Entries will be taken the day of the event, from 8 to 11 a.m. The public viewing will be held from 3 to 4 p.m., and awards will be given out following the viewing.
All entries must have the correct name and variety on the entry tag to qualify for a "Grand Champion" award in divisions 2-17. If the name of the variety is not known, the exhibit must be labeled "name unknown" and will be eligible for first, second or third place ribbon awards.
There will be 17 divisions that vary from artistic floral design, artistic horticulture, houseplants and outdoor container plants to dahlias, gladiolus, roses, annuals, fruit, herbs and vines and branches of trees and shrubs.
"We have some fantastic designers," said Smith, who will enter the show herself after weeks of preparation.
"I've been fortunate I have many Grand Champion ribbons," she said.
The competition is heating up as the day of the show approaches and club members become anxious to see what their fellow gardeners have created.
"It's a challenge," Smith said. "It's fun to see who can come up with the best."
But that didn't stop the avid gardener from providing some tips to those planning to enter:
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"You have to condition your specimens otherwise they will not stand up," she said.
It's important to take some warm water out before picking the flowers and immediately placing them in the water, she added.
Make sure all entries are clean with no damaged leaves or spider webs, Smith said with a smile.
Detroit Lakes is a host location every six years, as the show rotates between the six cities in the 11th district. Participating in the show is free and open to everyone.
For more information on how to enter, contact Smith at 847-2066.
