Bumper crop of cacti at Falmouth Spring Flower Show

Tiers of daffodils, flowering shrubs, potted and cut flowers, orchids, floral art, cacti and succulents, and hundreds of children’s exhibits, filled the Princess Pavilion at Gyllyngdune Gardens.

Nigel Pascoe, BBC Radio Cornwall’s garden expert who judged the shrubs, said: "It was a really lovely, fresh show with some outstanding exhibits such as the rhododendrons from Glendurgan garden and the magnolia from Gyllyngdune gardens."

Mike Brereton, who judged a bumper crop of cacti said it was "privilege" to see such good plants.

Edna Trudgeon, the south west region’s judge for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), remarked how difficult it was to choose between the 26 floral art exhibits.

More than 1,000 visitors enjoyed highlights such as a stunning display of daffodils, tulips and hyacinths by the show’s guest, Dutch grower Carlos van der Veek; flowering shrubs from Toby Nenning's gardening team at the university’s Tremough campus; Nicky Wharton of Trebah; Cormac’s Matt Stannard and Kenny Bird at Fox Rosehill Gardens; Becky Pack at Gyllyngdune Gardens and Falmouth Town Council gardeners.

There was a galaxy of camellias from Tessa Rabett of the Meudon Hotel, and Jean Cook’s Falmouth garden.

One side of the pavilion was filled with hundreds of different daffodils, with first prizes awarded to the youngest competitors Edwin, age 13 and his sister Amelia, 12 for her daffodil Sugar Rose.

Primary school children from King Charles made 61 spring themed cards and Marlborough School’s gardening club a trophy winning Magic Roundabout garden. Children from Boot Up! Outdoor Learning created Futuristic Gardens, animal face masks and Spring in Cornwall collages.

Presenting the cups, show president Ron Scamp said: "We are privileged to have Elizabeth Doidge, one of the best floral artists in any show I know. The rhododendrons from Glendurgan are just magnificent and worthy winners of the Champions Cup.

"The Cormac gardeners have exhibited some wonderful plants from Falmouth’s public gardens, and Mabe Gardening Club a lovely display for the George Sowden Award.

"After many years this is the final show to be organised by this committee who are stepping away for a new committee to be announced at a future date who will organise the 2020 show for March 28 and 29."

Jacqui Owen, the visitor and community engagement officer for Falmouth Town Council, in partnership with Cormac, presented the show’s committee members with Certificates of Appreciation from Cornwall County Council and the Cormac gardening team.

Jacqui said: "There is real heritage and history in this show, first held in these Gyllyngdune Gardens in 1910, and once the most popular and fashionable spring flower show in the whole country. It is Cornwall’s oldest Spring flower show and its significance would not have continued without the hard work and dedication of this voluntary committee.

"The majority of them have exhibited and worked for this show for many years including Ron Scamp, Reg Sleeman and his wife Pearl, and Alan Cox, for 40 years plus each; Elizabeth Doidge, Bob Lawrence, and Jean Cook for up to 30 years; Tony Taylor, Lilian Smith and Tracy Hladkij for up to 20 years. Brian Phillpotts, retired Falmouth council gardener and show vice-president, has been associated with the show for a remarkable 74 years.’

Cormac’s Falmouth gardeners won the Chamber of Commerce Silver Challenge Cup, the Duckham Trophy, the Sylvanus Treveal Cup, the Parry Silver Challenge Cup, and the Royal Horticultural Society Banksian Medal.

Jean Cook was awarded the W.J.Bull Memorial Cup for her camellias. The Carter Memorial Cup and the Daffodil Society Medal went to Shirley Cardus, with Ron Scamp receiving the Phillpotts Cup for best seedling daffodil.

Alan Trathen's cacti and succulents won him the Hazel Cox Memorial Cup, with Alan Cox’s best exhibit cacti awarded the Andrew Cox Memorial Cup. Clive Murton was given the Mr C.C.D. Steele Orchid Cup for his best orchid; for her floral art Elizabeth Doidge received the Phillpotts Trophy and the Challenge Cup for Floral Art. The Champions Cup for the best exhibit in its class went to Glendurgan gardens.

Barry Kelly’s pictures won him both the Challenge Cup for Photography and the Wass Shield, with Mary Cobill winning the Andrew Cox Trophy for a colour photograph. Mabe Garden Club received the George Sowden Adward.

Vouchers were awarded to the best exhibit in the children’s classes, while Marlborough School pupils won the Ken Pound Challenge for the Charles Rowe Trophy for their Magic Roundabout garden.

The Princess Pavilion and Gyllyngdune Garden Youth Cup was awarded to Boot Up! Thursday Group for their Futuristic Garden.

Among the trade stands which received Gold certificates were Treseders Nursery, Sandrasfield, B.J.Sherriff, Strete Gate Camelllias and Quality Daffodils.