Wednesday, April 29, 2015

April Daffodils!

The following article was submitted by Cindy Haeffner and published by the Hermann Advertiser Courier


Earlier this month, the Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society hosted their annual show at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Exhibitors entered daffodils in the horticulture, design and photography classes.

Winning entries from local exhibitors include Brenda VanBooven with her National Classic winning entry of ‘Broomhill’. The classics comprise daffodils registered with the Royal Horticulture Society  and  the American Daffodil Society between the years of 1940-1969. 

In the youth division, Breckyn Koeller won the best Youth bloom in the horticulture division with ‘Maria”  and the Purple Ribbon Sweepstakes in the Youth Design.  Macy Bader, a seasoned exhibitor, winning the Best Youth Horticulture and Best Youth Design last year, won a red ribbon this year with her design themed “Animal Shot”.

Cindy Haeffner won the Gold Ribbon for the best standard bloom of the show with ‘Elegant Touch’.  This bloom was selected from the ‘Red,White and Blue’ 5 stem collection, also selected as the best 5 stem collection of the show.   This class must be 5 daffodils hybridized in the USA.  For information on everything daffodils and more visit: www.stldaffodilclub.org  Entries for the show is open to the public and welcomed.
   
The Greater St. Louis Daffodil Society focuses on youth, the future of gardening.  Macy Bader and Breckyn Koeller spray painted recycled plastic containers for young children to make daffodil bouquets while visiting the show at the Missouri Botanical Garden.  This very popular activity is directed by the Youth Chairman, Jason Delaney, member of the Society, and also Missouri Botanical Garden North Gardens Bulb Specialist. The bouquets are very special for the children visiting and free of charge. 

Every 4 years, the World Daffodil Convention is held.   It rotates from USA, Europe, New Zealand and Australia.  In 2012 the World Convention was held in Dunedin, New Zealand and next year the 2016 World Daffodil Convention will be held in St. Louis, MO, at the Westport Sheraton Hotel, April 6-10, 2016.

Tours will include a trip to Joy and Cindy Haeffner’s farm to see the collection of daffodils..  While in Hermann, the group will have a  chance to visit shops &  take in the German hospitality at the Heramnnhof Festhalle, along with entertainment by the Loehnig German Band.  For information visit:  WDC2016.StlDaffodilClub.org

By Cindy Haeffner, President, Greater Saint Louis Daffodil Society