In One Ear: Flawless flower

Published 12:15 am Thursday, October 5, 2023

“Local gal wins top honor!” Larry Smith, of the American Dahlia Society, wrote. “Astoria’s own Joanie Chapel received Best in Show honors for her flawless entry of ‘Just Married‘ at the recent Douglas County Dahlia Show.

“This is a sanctioned show under the umbrella of the ADS that attracts top level growers and exhibitors from all over the Pacific Northwest. There were over 600 entries in the show, the large majority in the single bloom category. Joanie drove more than 300 miles from Astoria to Roseburg to participate.

“She has been participating in ADS affiliated shows for several years. This was her first single bloom Best in Show win, but her dahlia basket was named Best in Show at the 2021 ADS National Show in Ohio. She shares her hobby with her daughter Julie Moore, of Otis. Julie is also a top grower and exhibitor who has won a number of Best in Show honors.”

Chapel grows about 300 dahlias on Oregon Highway 202. “The deer out here eat everything but the dahlias,” she noted. “I have been a Clatsop County master gardener for 17 years, and teach classes on dahlias. I’ve been exhibiting them for several years now, and love to make arrangements and baskets.”