By REBECCA BILLS
THROUGHOUT winter, the glorious nurseries scattered throughout the hills have delightful plants and produce to enthral garden lovers over the cooler months.
And B&T Ferns and Orchids will be hosting its 16th Annual Winter Miracles Orchid Show at the Silvan based nursery – an annual event on the Victorian Orchid Show Calendar.
Nursery owner Mark Finnigan said the annual orchid show provides the general public with the opportunity to see orchids grown by Victoria’s leading orchid growers.
“Orchid flowering and its array of colours, sizes and shapes continues until late in the year and this show offers the hobby grower the opportunity to obtain seedlings or larger plants sourced from some of Australia’s leading hybridists,” he said.
“The show schedule provides orchid growers with a range of show classes that cater for a broad range of orchid genera.
“The two-day show sponsored by Yarra Valley Orchid Society and held at our nursery is well attended by hobby growers and the general public keen to see the show benches, swap yarns, pick brains and purchase that something special.”
Mr Finnigan said plant entries are accepted from any orchid enthusiasts wishing to participate providing them with the opportunity to win one of the 13 major champion awards as judged by The Orchid Societies Council of Victoria (OSCOV) members in attendance on the first day of the show.
Mr Finnigan said his business has evolved over some 15 years and three years ago was relocated to the current site in Silvan to allow for expansion.
The nursery carries Victoria’s largest range of Australian native orchid species, hybrids, orchid genera, bromeliads, grass, trees, vireyas, stags, elks, ground ferns and tree fern varieties accessible to the general public.
Yarra Valley Orchid Society 16th Annual Winter Miracles Plant and Orchid Fair is on Saturday 19 July from 9am to 4.30pm and Sunday 20 July from 9am to 4pm.
Free entry to the public and exhibitors with ample parking, barbecue and light refreshments stall for all to enjoy.
B&T Ferns and Orchids is located at 30 Wiseman Road, Silvan.
For more information about the show, call Mark or Jane Finnigan on 9737 9354 during business hours.
