Two years ago, local dahlia growers Joe and Catherine Wilson of Invercargill didn’t think of themselves as serious gardeners.

“We would potter, and we like a nice garden but that was about it,” Catherine said. 

But now the Wilsons are preparing for their first ever national show – the South Island National Dahlia Show which takes place at the Southland Indoor Bowls Stadium in Invercargill over the weekend of February 20 and 21. It will be the first national Dahlia Show in Invercargill since 1985.  

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The couple said they were encouraged by two other couples they met while playing Indoor Bowls. 

“Stephen and Christine Langley were primarily responsible, but Walter and Kit Jack also encouraged us,” Catherine said. 

The pair will enter the novice section, but what sets the Wilsons apart is that they grow in pots or tubs rather than the garden. 

“We have a small property, and the clay level is high with minimal soil, so we grow in plastic tubs,” Joe said. 

“We started with two pots at the front door with just one variety. We now have 47 varieties. Not too many grow in pots, but it shows that you don’t need a big property or a large garden.” 

Joe said he has borrowed some techniques from his Mum and Dad’s era for growing in buckets. 

“I drill 10 or 12 holes, put in some broken-field tiles, a layer of weed matting, then lawn clippings, topsoil and some of Walter Jack’s secret manure,” he said.

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“The tubers don’t like getting their feet wet. They don’t mind being damp but not too wet, so pots are good for drainage.” 

Ironically, Catherine’s late father grew dahlias and had more than 800. 

“It was one of those things, your parents’ passion becomes the kid’s nightmare, but things have now gone full circle.”

It is obvious from talking to the couple they clearly enjoy their dahlias.

They are learning all the time alongside the Southland Dahlia Circle group – but Joe said there was always more to improve on. 

“[Dahlias] are a simple plant to grow but every variety has their own single needs,” he said.

 Although one art he admits he is yet to master is getting flowers “vased up for showing”.

Both the Jacks and the Langleys have encouraged the couple to have a go at the Nationals, which Joe says they will “give it a crack”.

The couple are both on the National Show committee, Joe responsible for Health & Safety, while Catherine runs the Southland Dahlia Circle Facebook page with Stephen. 

The show, which will also celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Southland Dahlia Circle, will feature between 500-600 vases of dahlias which equates to more than 1000 blooms.

The public are encouraged to come and enjoy the quality of the exhibits on display from Saturday February 20 between 12pm and 5pm and the following day, Sunday February 21, from 9am until 4pm.

There will also be several garden related stalls for the public to peruse.

Entry to the show will be a gold coin donation and admission for children is free.

South Island National Dahlia Show

• Southland Indoor Bowls Stadium, 50 Onslow Street, Invercargill
• Saturday February 20, 12pm to 5pm 
• Sunday February 21, 9am to 4pm.