When Sandra Wallis was persuaded to enter the Otago Lily Society show for the first time, she hoped her huge red and while Oriental lily stem might get a second or third prize.
The result was beyond the St Kilda woman’s wildest dream, beating more experienced exhibitors from Ashburton to Balclutha. Her stem was first in the class for Oriental stems entered by new exhibitors, then was named overall best novice stem, before going on to be named the show’s premier stem.
"It was a no-brainer," society president and judge Louise Ardley said of the adjudicators’ decision.
"We took one look and knew it was a winner."
In other results: open class for stems, Nancy Ridder, Ashburton; best floret (single flower), Louise Ardley, Fairfield; novice floret, Louise Wallace, Timaru; collection of three florets, Margaret Dodds; lilies in a container, Russell Wall, Dunedin;
The top photography award went to Keri Smith, of St Kilda, for a photo of lilies and dahlias against a background of dark foliage. Runner-up was Lynne O’Kane, of Dunedin.
The overall winner in the floral art section was Liz Bremner for her entry, My Cup Runneth Over.
The trophy for most points in the show was awarded to Keri Smith for her array of entries from florets to floral art featuring lilies.
Society secretary Margaret Dodds said it was especially pleasing to see new exhibitors at the show, something she hoped would continue.
Potted flowering lilies of numerous varieties were on sale as an Otago Lily Society fundraiser and were popular with the public.
