MANSFIELD — The annual Kingwood Spring Flower Show has been a staple in Mansfield for 50 years.
It’s always drawn attention from gardeners. But on Saturday, Bill Collins, show chairman and head gardener at Kingwood Center, said the turnout was notable.
“This is much bigger than what we’ve had in previous years,” Collins said.
The show takes place again on Sunday, June 4, in the Carriage House at Kingwood Center Gardens. It includes 65 artistic design entries and more than 100 horticulture entries.
“Years ago there’d be 750 to 1,000 entries,” Collins said. “But there aren’t as many people… who want to show.”
There aren’t as many gardening clubs either, he said. Still, he was impressed with the number of entries.
So was Kingwood volunteer, Arlene Bighouse of Galion. Bighouse noted that the “Challenge” section, which featured flowers arranged in vases, had more entries. Bighouse entered a Rosemary Bush and an Amaryllis flower. Both won first-place ribbons.
The Amaryllis flower was a late bloomer, finally opening Friday — just in time for the show.
Galina Obrynba, of Shiloh entered four plants, earning two first-place ribbons, one second- and one third-. But she keeps even more plants at home.
“I’m planning already for the next show,” she said.
Obrynba came to the United State from Ukraine in the 1990s. She believes her gardening ability comes from her mother.
“My mom in Ukraine, everyone was envious of her,” she said. “I think I have this from her.”
Six accredited judges – three for artistic design and three for horticulture entries — from Ohio-based garden clubs determined the winners in dozens of categories.
The show continues Sunday, June 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
