Monthly Flower Show Guidelines

Monthly Flower Show Guidelines

Horticulture

Exhibits are judged on color, texture and substance, size, condition of foliage and flowers, stem in proportion to flower.

All plant material must be grown by the exhibitor.

2. Label correctly, if name is known.

3. Place your name on the back of the label.

Design

The goal of the designer is to achieve the four design attributes of beauty, harmony, distinction and expression through creativity. The eight visual characteristics of all components contributing to floral art are Line, Form, Color, Texture, Pattern, Size, Space, and Light.

1. All exhibits must contain some plant material, fresh and/or dried.

2. No artificial flowers, foliage, fruit or vegetables are permitted.

3. Fresh plant material cannot be treated in any manner which

includes artificial coloring.

4. Accessories may be used whenever designer feels the design

would be enhanced.

5. Dried and/or treated plant material and contrived flower and/or

plant forms are permitted unless design schedule specifies otherwise.

6. Objects that add interest when tastefully used (e.g.: feathers,

nests, coral, sponges, sea fans, shells, bones, antlers, horns, starfish) are permitted.

7. Container-grown plants growing in soil, as part of pot-et-fleurs and vignette classes, etc., where appropriate are permitted.

8. Living plants with roots attached (e.g.: leek, moss, etc.) are permitted.

9. Special lighting not requiring electrical source.

10. All staging properties, such as panels, frames, pedestals, columns, boxes, cubes, etc. may be incorporated.

Glossary for 2008-2009 Design Schedule

From National Garden Club Inc.’s Handbook for Flower Shows 2007, Rev Ed. The following are condensed definitions of terms used in designs.

NGC TRADITIONAL DESIGN STYLE: Each design must be based on a single “set-pattern” of geometric form (sphere, cylinder or pyramid). Each design is organized according to rules and set patterns of previously executed styles, which include: one center of interest near the place where all plant materials emerge or radiate from the container. Overall design not to exceed 1 1/2 to 2 times the greatest dimension of the container. Some material is to cover part of the lip of the container. No intentional crossed lines for design effect. Container and background must be subordinate. There is usually an even number of flowers in Line and Line Mass Designs. Plant material is used in a naturalistic manner. There is little or no abstraction. No flower is larger than 1/3 the size of the container’s greatest dimension. Traditional designs are designs in space. Consideration of enclosed space is of little importance. Depth, necessary for balance and rhythm, achieved by: overlapping of forms, completing the back of the design, and transitional materials and gradation of colors and sizes.

NGC CREATIVE DESIGN STYLE: Designs are eclectic in concept, borrowing from different styles and/or periods to create new concepts and forms. Creative Designs usually show restraint in the amount of plant material and/or number of components used. Exception: most Creative Mass Designs and Assemblages. They may have one or more focal area and more than one point of emergence, but clarity of design is all important. They may include non-naturalistic qualities. Any part of the design may be dominant.

1. Accessory. A component in a design, other than plant material, that plays a subordinate or supporting role in the design. It need not be subordinate to container/base, mechanics, or staging components.

2. Niche. A three-dimensional form or space used to define the background dimensions for an exhibit. It can be contrived, having a backboard and one or two attached side leaves (wings) and may also have top and/or bottom panels. Maximum allotted width stated in schedule determines whether wings may flare (open outward) or project forward at a 90 degree angle (e.g. if backboard measures less than the allotted width, wings must flare to satisfy schedule width requirements.) If backboard measures the schedule allotted width, wings must not flare. Exhibitor is free to change color, add fabric, etc. unless prohibited by schedule.

3. Creative Line. A Creative Design in which line direction is dominant, characterized by open silhouette, a minimum of plant material and other (optional) components. Dominant feature is the thrusting movement in a single direction, either vertically, horizontally or diagonally. Thrusting material usually differs from material(s) providing dynamic balance and contrast. May have more than one focal area and more than one point of emergence. Due to minimal components, contrast of line, form, color and texture play only a very minor role. May or may not be confined to a container(s). Container should not be in strong contrast to the directional thrust. May have any degree of abstraction.

4. Creative Mass. A Creative Design emphasizing plant material and other (optional) components. Tangible components, not space, must dominate overall design. The enclosed silhouette of the design may be enhanced by incorporating space to add contrast and rhythm. May include multiple points of emergence and may or may not be confined to a container(s). May have any degree of abstraction.

5. Decorated Tree. Trees may represent any holiday, season or special occasion. Schedule states purpose, theme, size and space, etc. as well as requirement that tree be decorated traditionally, creatively or designer's choice and must include some plant material (fresh or dried). Tree may be cut, contrived or growing in a container, but not artificial.

6. Designer’s Choice. Complete freedom in selection of all components and plant material.

7. Frame. Color, texture, scale and form of frame should be compatible with the other components of design. It can be used as a frame of reference where the entire design is within the vertical and horizontal confines of a frame. Design is free to exceed frame’s depth. It can be incorporated where part or parts of the design may go beyond the dimensions of the frame in height, width and depth, but must not exceed designer’s allotted space.

8. Functional Table. Table exhibit set for actual food service, capable of functioning for dining as displayed. Convenience and sense of order must prevail. Exhibit must include a decorative

unit (floral design, with or without candles or other accessories).

A container-grown plant alone is not a design. Typically includes dishes, beverage container(s), covering(s) and napkins(s). Schedule to specify number or make-up of place settings, or allow designer to choose.

9. Functional Tray. Decorative unit with all appointments placed on tray in appropriate scale for size of tray. Must appear uncrowded. Ease of self service important. Tray classes in flower show may be in Functional mode only since stability and scale are primary considerations when judging.

10. Hanging Design. Type II. Kinetic Design. Created to move freely in staging area on a hook, suspended from the ceiling, chandelier or within a frame. Includes all three-dimensional

hanging designs allowing movement, e.g. mobiles, suspended garlands, swags, etc. Design can be a mobile which is free-hanging with groupings of freely moving parts and must be able to

move in air currents. Balance within the mobile is essential to unhampered movement. Weight of components must be judiciously calculated with forms, colors and textures must be balanced throughout. Penetration and interpretation of space play vital roles in a successful mobile.

11. Illuminary. A Creative Design incorporating light(s) for special effect. The lighting must be an integral part of the design and its effect readily apparent. Light(s) must be incorporated into the overall design: above, underneath, behind, or within a container(s), but not placed in front as a spotlight. Mechanics must be concealed in an artful manner. Effect of lighting must be subtle, not distracting. Warm lights may be harmful to plant materials. Cool lights are preferred. Shadows become design components and should add to, not detract from design. Mechanics must be in good safe condition and kept away from water source.

12. Miniature. May be of any design style, Traditional or Creative, and any design type. Design may not exceed five inches in height, width or depth. Plant material and other components (optional) must be small, as scale is important. If schedule requires staging prop, e.g. background panel, pedestal, etc.) be incorporated into design, staging must stay within maximum dimensions allowed for Miniature Design.

13. Plant Material. May be dried, fresh, or a combination according to the schedule.

14. Pot-et-Fleurs. A Creative Design consisting of a combination of two or more rooted plants, growing in soil or other medium, cut plant material and other (optional) components in a container(s). Design is not to be organized as a landscape or a combination of planting (dish, garden, planter or terrarium). Growing plants are to be emphasized. All plants must have compatible growth requirements as this is a semi-permanent design. Flowering plants or cut fresh flowers must be included. Other plant material may be added, e.g. fruits, vegetables, nuts, leaves and/or branches. Fresh materials needing water may be inserted in bottles, floral tubes or foam and hidden amongst the plants.

15. Reflective. A Creative Design containing material(s) that reflect, give back image(s) of light and other components to the viewer. The reflective material is the main integral part of the overall design. Reflective material may be shiny metal, plastic, paper, pieces of mirror, mirrored objects, but staging in or in front of a mirror is not a Reflective Design.

16. Schedule. Sets forth the rules of the show, including limits of plant material and designs.

17. Sculpture. A creative design featuring a three-dimensional sculptural form which must dominate the design. Form is of one piece, or pieces fastened or bonded together to appear as one unit and must have appearance of being carved, chiseled, molded, welded together, or fashioned of fiber. Form may be of plant material, fresh or dried, a container, a form created by designer, an actual sculpture, or other man made form. If sculptural form is not plant material, some plant material must be included.
18. Small. A traditional or creative design no more than 8 inches in height, width or depth. Plant materials and components must be in pleasing proportion to height.

19. Staging, Innovative and Creative. Dimensions, color and style must conform to schedule. Can include tables with uniform cloths and/or skirting to floor. Panels, including background panel, incorporated staging panel or combination thereof, underlay, frame, niche, pedestal, open column, box, cube, turntable, supports for hanging designs and petite design staging positioned for easy viewing.

20. Traditional Mass. Large quantities of plant material in closed silhouette, fully developed focal area, yet defined linear pattern. Mass design is primarily symmetrical, in the form of the

sphere, oval, or pyramid, and is frequently referred to as a Traditional Geometric Mass Design. Gradation of sizes, forms and colors are vital to balance. Rhythm is created through placement

of a dominant plant material in a linear pattern, rather than scattered throughout the design. Distinction largely attributed to harmony of forms and colors

21. Transparency. A Creative Design, including see-through element(s) that permit some components to be viewed through others. In addition to transparent materials, translucent, diaphanous and grid-like materials are acceptable. Plant material examples can be skeletonized foliage, branches, sea fans, open weave grasses and man-made materials such as acrylic, glass mesh, screening, open-weave fabric and grillwork. By positioning solid forms in front of and behind transparent ones an increased awareness of depth is realized. Special lighting may further enhance the effect of a transparency.

22. Underwater. A creative design having component(s) including some or all plant material, submerged in water. Components under water must contribute artistically to the overall design and not merely be stems and/or mechanics. If some components are in water and others are not, the effect must be that of a single overall design. If entire design is submerged within a container, a single overall design results, but the designer must also consider the Design Principle Proportion. Components submerged in water are chosen for their lasting quality under water such as tropical flowers, foliage, evergreens, seed pods and some vegetables and fruit. Water line becomes part of the design and water may not be colored if any part of the plant material is submerged.

Note: Many of the designs in our monthly flower shows will be used in the flower show that our club is presenting to the public on April 24th and 25th. Now you can practice, get ideas and suggestions from the judges and be ready to enter a design in the show. We need your participation