Updated 2 May with more photos from Joan Zande of Sutherland Group.
Each year APS groups contribute to the Australian plants competition at the Royal Easter Show to share the beauty and diversity of our native plants. There are many different classes including single cuts, 3 cuts, vases, not in vases, flowers, fruits and seeds, and miniatures.
The competition returned after the cancellation of the Easter Show in 2020 due to COVID-19. See photos from the 2019 Royal Easter Show here.
Sutherland Group
Leonie Hogue has been coordinating entries for Sutherland Group since the very first year of the Australian plants competition. She reports: ‘This year’s entries in the Easter Show by Sutherland Group were another great success. Seventeen of our entries won a prize. The most successful thing was the lovely show made by all the entries. A steward stopped me to particularly comment on the wonderful display of Australian plants each year. I particularly enjoyed catching up with friends from Central Coast and Menai Groups as we scurried about at 7 am putting up arrangements.’
Joan Zande from Sutherland Group has provided the photos below of the Sutherland Group entries.
Mixed native cuts – two classes (vase and not in vase)
Banksias
Miniatures
There are two classes: flowers, and fruit and seeds (no flowers). Sutherland Group won First, Second and Third prizes in the fruit and seeds class.
Foliage, fruits and seeds
Two of the Sutherland arrangers
Menai Group
Menai Group won 8 First prizes, 4 Second prizes and 1 Third prize, plus the Grand Champion. Here’s a selection of photos from Margaret Olde.
Banksias
Single cut and 3 cuts
Easter Show 2021 – 3 cuts in bloom Hakea (Menai Group)
Grevilleas
Fruits and foliage
Foliage Pot by Menai Group
Other native plant entries
Marie O’Connor, President of East Hills Group, placed an entry in the wool embroidered section, with a design based on native blossoms, nuts and leaves.
Other members also received prizes in other arts and craft categories: a first prize for Mary Hedges from Menai Group and third prize for Liz Aitken from Sutherland Group.
If you have any photos to add, please email enewsletter@austplants.com.au