Lets talk about Hamilton’s fall Mum Show — again
Editor (imaginary) : Another column on the Mum Show? Really? How many have you written?
Columnist (a.k.a. RH): About 30, I think. I wrote my first Mum Show column in 1991. But for me - and a lot of Hamiltonians - it doesn't get old. It's important to Hamilton.
Editor: So tell me why it's important.
RH: There are at least three reasons for that. First, the Mum Show - properly, the Fall Garden and Mum Show - is a great wrap to the gardening season, to summer and to warm weather. Second, it's a tradition. Not quite sacred, but close to it. Neil Schofield, the city's greenhouse supervisor, says he sees adult visitors to the show who have been coming every year since they were kids, and former summer students from 10 years ago come back to see how the show's doing. Third, the Mum show is part of the fabric of Hamilton. It's been running since 1920, in the city's grandest park. As Schofield said, Hamiltonians have a thirst for nature and for green space." The Mum Show is as Hamilton-ish as Mountain accesses and doughnut shops.
Editor: What's the theme this year?
RH: It's called Mums in Space." All the greenhouse employees contribute ideas. Schofield said it was our toughest show to put together." Part of the problem is that space is dark. And flowers tend to look their best not in the dark. But the theme is carried off. We learned we can do anything," Schofield said of the city horticulture department workers who really do seem to bring their personal pride to the show. Honestly, they blow my mind with what they can do."
Editor: Numbers?
RH: There are about 200,000 flowers - the actual blossoms - in the show. Two hundred varieties of chrysanthemums, and the city greenhouse crew grew about 11,000 potted mums themselves. There are at least a dozen colours of mums, from white and ivory and cream to red and yellow and orange and lilac and purple and green and ... well, a multitude of variations on the variations. And they're hoping to see 15,000 visitors come through in this first show since pandemic restrictions have been eased.
Editor: What does Mums in Space" look like?
RH: Well, you've got Cathie Coward's great photos on this page for a taste. When I was down there this week, there was a Martian colony - it has a great backdrop painted by one of the summer students - and a Moon rover and two space shuttles - one with the Canadarm of course - all being worked on. And there's the solar system and the James Webb space telescope. They're made from props and florists' foam and flower heads, but it all works. I mean, it could be cheesy but it's not. There's a touch of whimsy as well. There's a meteor" crashed into the ground outside the Tropical House, with torn up ground and a smashed fence. It's just a reminder that this is supposed to be fun. Not too serious.
Editor: What if you're not into contrived space stuff?
RH: Then just enjoy it for the flower show it is. And it is that, first and foremost. The mums are set among dozens of varieties of perennials and annuals, so you can get lots of ideas on how to combine plants in your own garden. There's coleus and grasses and hibiscus among others, and hanging baskets - and a whole lot of striking yellow cannas at the entrance area. Gardeners can get lots of ideas for mixing colours and heights and shape of plants. There's a labelled display of all the different types of chrysanthemums. Plus, admission includes access to the Tropical House, which is one of the best little-known things in Hamilton.
Editor: Would I want to take my kids?
RH: Yes. The space stuff is neat for them, I think, and there's a DIY area where kids can make a couple of crafts and grown-ups can make a pumpkin planter centrepiece. (They do cost a little extra.) And there are ponds in the Tropical House that kids love.
Editor: OK, I'm sold. How do I see it?
RH: The show runs to Oct. 23, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day. Tickets are $7.77, with discounts for seniors and youth and a family ticket that'll save you about $5 on two adults and two youngsters. Kids 5 and under are free. You can buy them at the door or online by Googling Hamilton mum show." Online tickets will get you in faster.
Editor: Remind me. Where is it?
RH: Ignore the online descriptor that puts the show at Bayview Park. It's at the Gage Park greenhouses, off Lawrence Road just east of the top of Gage Avenue South. Parking is free. The show - and the Tropical House and the washrooms - are all accessible for visitors with mobility problems.
Editor: Would you recommend a visit?
RH: As it used to be said about a certain leather shop in Acton: It's worth the drive." Yes, really. I'd be amazed if a visitor didn't think it was worth it.
Rob Howard lives and gardens in Hamilton. He's a garden writer, speaker and garden coach. You can reach him at gardenwriterrob@gmail.com or on Facebook at Rob Howard: Garden Writer.