Beach residents prep for Hibiscus Show Sunday
Florida’s oldest and largest chapter of the American Hibiscus Society will be holding the 60th annual Hibiscus Show and Plant Sale at the Araba Shrine Center, 2010 Hanson St., Fort Myers. The free event with free parking is this Sunday (June 5) from 1 to 4 p.m.
Beach residents Calvin and Ann Lloyd are active members of the James E. Hendry Chapter, which began in 1951. Ann has also been trained to judge and does so at different shows throughout the state.
“Having been to a number of shows, I think ours is probably about the finest,” said Ann. “I think we are going to see lots of beautiful blooms. Since we had a mild winter, unlike last year, it’s going to make a tremendous difference at the show.”
Ann said members and nonmembers are asked to bring their blooms to the show.
“For some people, that’s how they’ve gotten started. It kind of gets their interest going,” she said. “There are all types of brands and exotic hybrids, which are a little more difficult to grow. We have a number of hibiscuses in our yard and in containers.”
The American Hibiscus Society, a non-profit organization that has members in 40 states and 45 foreign countries, maintains its headquarters in Venice, Fla. The James E. Hendry Chapter has roughly 50 members in its group.
More than 1,000 hybrid hibiscus bloom entries from all over Florida are expected to be at the event, which will feature door prizes every 30 minutes. Prizes include hibiscus plants from Unbelievable Hibiscus; fertilizer from B & B Worm Castings; and gift certificates from Oasis Restaurant, Gavin’s Ace Hardware and Hooters.
There also will be a live 30-minute show performed on stage at 2 p.m. by The Suncoast Sunshine Cloggers.
More than 900 hybrid hibiscus plants in many colors will be on sale from 1 to 4 p.m. The fee is $15 apiece or $25 for a Tahitian plant.
Growing instructions sheets and hibiscus fertilizer will be available for a nominal price. Hibiscus plants can be grown in large pots or in the ground. The delicate and beautiful plants grow abundantly in Florida’s tropical climate.
“We have some hibiscus trees in our yard which have been through Hurricane Charley,” said Ann. “That surprised me because of the floods. One tree was bent entirely in half. We staked it up and it never stopped blooming. Some of the more common varieties are very, very hearty.”
Sponsors for the 60th annual Hibiscus Show and Plant Sale include Edison National Bank; Hooters; Greenscapes; Aterra Realty Associates; Driftwood Garden Center; Cabinet Rescue; Dr. Kagan Orthopedic Surgery; Dr. Goldberger; Storm Shutter Warehouse; Riverland Nursery & Landscape; Durand & Gallentine Investment Management Group; Orr Insurance Group; Tim’s Tree Service; and
Pain Management & Spine Specialists.
Special thanks go out to Costco and The Bagel Factory, which are donating food for members and exhibitors on show day.
“The event will showcase hundreds of different hybrid hibiscus blooms in a variety of colors and forms which will be judged in several different classes including amateur, collector, open collector, commercial and seedlings,” said Hibiscus Show Chair Wanda Schmoyer.
The show is the highlight of the year for the society and no further meetings will take place until they resume in September. The society meets at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Fort Myers at 1:30 p.m. the first Sunday of each month, Anyone interested is cordially invited to attend the next meeting Sunday, September 4, at 1:30 p.m.
For more information, go to www.hendrychapterahs.com or visit the local chapter’s information and education table.