Gardeners bring quilt to life
By Karen Blakeman
Advertiser Staff Writer
A "quilt" made of imported succulents and displayed on a wooden bed frame caught the attention of attendees yesterday at "Hawai'i Calls," the Garden Club of Honolulu's flower and horticulture show.
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"Unbelievable," said Pupukea orchid grower Horacio deSeixas, shaking his head. "Just unbelievable."
Yvette Wiman-Childers of Waikiki walks past some of the displays at the Garden Club of Honolulu's flower show.
The entry, just one of many inspired by vintage themes, was created by eight teams. Each team filled a box representing a quilt square with plants imported by The Cactus and Succulent Society of Hawai'i.
Browny Welch, hostess in the quilt room at the Honolulu Academy of Arts and creator of one of the quilt blocks, said the idea for the succulent quilt came from a garden club member who saw a flat-pattern succulent display on the Mainland.
"It was all top secret and very competitive," Welch said. "You didn't show them to your friends."
On Wednesday, the quilt blocks were brought together and placed in the specially made bed frame. Welch's block won second place.
"Hawai'i Calls" includes displays of scented plants, miniature landscapes in an exhibit titled "Little Grass Shack," anthuriums and seven categories of flower arrangements, including "Sea Dreams" and "Tiny Bubbles."
The flower show continues from 1 to 5 p.m. today at the art academy. In addition to the competitive displays, a conservation exhibit of native plants and an educational exhibit on alien bugs are on hand. Awards are presented to top exhibitors.
