Last weekend the 11th Annual Dazzling Dahlias Show at Greenwich Botanical Center (formerly Garden Education Center of Greenwich) drew its largest crowd to date with over 500 visitors.
Attendees saw more than 900 dahlia blooms of all sizes and shapes, from large dinner plates to dime size in a variety of colors.
Prizes were awarded on Saturday afternoon by senior and accredited judges from the American Dahlia Society.
The awards for “Best Dahlia Bloom” in the show and “Queen of the Show” was won by first time exhibitor from Greenwich, Pamela Schaefer.
There were 17 exhibitors competing in the show, who grow from 250 to 500 dahlias.
There were 9 novices this year, the winners in the Novice competition were Martha Robinson and Lisa Rozmus from Greenwich.
Stephen Ruttkamp and Cindy Williams
Stephen Ruttkamp, a member of the Greenwich Dahlia Society, won the most awards with a total of 22.
In addition to Queen, awards were also given for King, Prince, Princess and Duke of the show.
“It was all very exciting and on Sunday at 3 pm all the dahlias in the show were sold to the public who were anxiously waiting to buy them,” said event Co-chair, Lisa Moser. “We are grateful for the experience of American Dahlia Society judges who come from throughout the region and we thank the Greenwich Botanical Center’s staff, volunteers and sponsors who make the Show possible each year.”
The event funds educational and recreational programs for the community at Greenwich Botanical Center.
The next event at Greenwich Botanical Center is the “Orange you glad fall is here” Harvest Cocktail party on Friday, October 12 featuring a menu created by Chef Geoff Lazlo.
Also, on October 25 there will be a cocktail reception and lecture with author of The Food Explorer, Daniel Stone. Member and non-member tickets are available online.
The annual Greenwich Botanical Center membership is $55. For more information and to purchase tickets please visit Greenwich Botanical Center online (gecgreenwich.org).