The Auckland Begonia Circle is to hold its annual Begonia Festival this weekend.
Held in the Logan Campbell building in the Botanic Gardens, Hill Road, Manurewa on February 11 and 12, entry is free and open to the public from 10 am each day until 4 pm on the Saturday and 3pm on the Sunday.
Cockle Bay’s Peter Booth says there will be a wonderful display of splendid begonias on show with brilliant colours and shapes to amaze the visitors to the event.
“There will be begonias of many different names and kinds, some with magnificent blooms,” said Booth.
“There will also be displays of the beautiful foliage types such as Begonia Rex. We also hope to have some baskets on display.
The begonia circle has around 70 members from around New Zealand – including many from the Howick area – and there are overseas members.
“Some of our exhibitors will be bringing their flowers and plants quite long distances to put them on the show benches for your delight and amazement,” said Booth.
“There will be trading tables with begonia plants for sale at very acceptable prices so it may pay to be in quick as it’s a first come, first served sale. Please note that it is cash sales only.
It is probable that more plants will be brought to the show for sale on the Sunday. There may be plants in the Gesneriad genus also on exhibit and for sale such as Streptocarpus, African Violets and Gloxinias.
“At the close of the show on Sunday we may hold an auction for any remaining plants and these have been known to go at greatly-reduced prices,” Booth said.