A Falmouth daffodil grower has dedicated two of his new blooms to former Strictly Come Dancing partners Anton du Beke and Erin Boag.
The daffodils, named ‘Ballroom King’ and ‘Ballroom Queen’, were picked from grower Ron Scamp’s unnamed seedlings by a fan of ‘Strictly’ and as a tribute gift to the celebrity pairing.
Ron and his son Adrian are regular gold medal winners for their daffodil displays at the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Cornwall shows.
Their latest blooms, whose names were recently registered with the RHS, will join their heritage and other varieties at the 113th Falmouth Spring Flower Show at the Princess Pavilion, Gyllyngdune Gardens on March 25 and 26.
Ron, the Falmouth show’s former president, who chairs the South West Daffodil Group of commercial daffodil growers and enthusiasts, said: “Sadly many flower shows were not too well supported last year, some did not recover from cancellations during Covid lockdowns and are now closed.
“The daffodil industry in Cornwall is struggling too through a lack of pickers from Europe because of quotas on agricultural migrant workers.
“There are fields of yellow from Truro to Newquay with unpicked flowers. Some commercial growers are cutting back on growing for the flower markets, and there are probably less than a dozen individual niche bulb growers like us left in the South West.
“It is vital we keep our local flower shows on the road, they are part of Cornwall’s rich horticultural heritage and community events where anyone who loves flowers is welcome to take part.”
Ron added: “Last year’s show, the first run by Falmouth Town Council since the show committee retired, was a lovely success and confirmed the future of Cornwall’s oldest flower show.
"You do not need to be a gardener to take part, there are classes for pot plants, cacti, orchids, floral art, and photography.”
Flower show coordinator Henrietta Boex said: “Last year’s show was a brilliant success and could not have happened without our terrific volunteers, and members of the public ‘having a go’.
“It is taking part that matters and anyone can enter a favourite houseplant, photograph, or cut flower arrangement within the guidelines set out in the show schedule available from Falmouth Town Council.
“This is a free weekend event for all the family held in the Princess Pavilion part of our historic public Gyllyngdune gardens.”
The coronation of King Charles is celebrated in two of the floral art themes – ‘ Coronation Elegance’ and ‘A Delicate Tiara.’
There is no fee for taking part in 118 different classes which include 30 daffodil categories, 12 children’s classes, camellias, rhododendrons and magnolias.
For a free show schedule and entry form email: springflowershow@falmouthtowncouncil.com or call 01326-315559 and ask for Henrietta.
For updates, visit Falmouth Spring Flower Show on Facebook for updates. The closing date for show entries is March 19.
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