Cheers Alex, yes the quality of the trees continues to improve each year, I reckon. Thanks to the extra training that the members have been able to access.
I've been thinking about the lack of diversity in this year's display, and I reckon it might have a lot to do with the fact we're used to a late Spring show, and we've switched to early Autumn. All the long term members would have their schedules worked out for their bougies, water jasmine and other flowering trees so that they'd be ready for early November. This year's show is a test for everyone, and with only 6 months notice, hence the trees that can be pruned to shape, rather than anything in flower. I'm hoping that by next year the members will have had enough time to start prepping their native trees to start flowering in March.
It may take a couple of years to get the timing right!