Presented by Huntingdon Valley Garden Club and Wissahickon Garden Club

On May 5, two local garden clubs hosted a Garden Club of American flower show.

The purpose of a flower show is threefold: to set standards of artistic and
horticultural excellence; to broaden knowledge of horticulture, floral design, conservation, photography, and other related areas; and to share the beauty of a show with fellow club members and with the public.

The theme of this show was“Wabi Sabi” the Japanese term for the acceptance of transience and imperfection. Let’s take a look at some of the entries in this fabulous show.

Floral Design

Class 1: Simply Serene

Class 1 was staged in small niches. Four 7.5 x 10” opening lined a wall with designs using either fresh or dried flowers.

Each designer interpreted the theme and judges awarded prizes and made comments on each. The design principles of scale and proportion are key when working in this small space. Can you guess which of these lovely designs won the blue ribbon.

Class 2: Creatively Cracked

Staged on a pedestal. A design inspired by Kintsugi. More about kintsugi from my previous post, KINTSUGI ‘GOLDEN JOINERY.’

Four completely different interpretations were staged on black pedestals. Notice how the first exhibit has elevated the pedestal to allow for her cascading design. The second design has broken pottery pieces and golden branches connect the two vases. Look closely at the black monstera leaves and you will see golden lines for “kintsugi golden repair. (GCA does allow painting of fresh plant material in their shows.) The fourth design has a woven spiral of midollino for its crack. Which is your favorite?

Class 3: Perfectly Imperfect

A functional table for an unexpected guest.
This class required dining setting for at least two people and the guest must be named.

A table of circles and dots welcomes the artist Yayoi Kusama.

Here an uninvited Peter rabbit marched across the table leaving footprints.

Margaret Thatcher celebrates Brexit with wine and cigars with a celebratory abundance of green flowers.

Little Miss Muffet has a surprise visit from the spider. Notice the tea pot creating a focal area in the lovely asymmetrical floral arrangement and the spider hangs from nylon wire into a teacup.

Botanical Arts

The botanical arts division is always a show-stopper. Dried materials are clipped and painted into intricate works of art. I am always amazed at the precision and creativity of these entries.

Chop sticks – A necklace

Here you can see the the materials used to create this stunning piece of jewelry.

My Zen World

Exhibitors were given a mat board panels and creations were to be a cube shape and less that 10” in any direction.

Two creative interpretations.

Horticulture and Photography

A large part of a GCA flower show is horticulture and photography exhibits. It will take another writing to share some of these entries.

Cut specimens are displayed in glass tubes inserted into wooden boxes and a myriad of wonderful and exotic plants from begonia to wide variety cacti and succulents are judged for excellence and awarded ribbons and some get special awards.

Photographs as seen behind are displayed on black backgrounds.

Educational Exhibits

The GCA requires a standard flower show to have an Education Exhibit. This fascinating bonsai exhibit explained the art of bonsai and the exacting process to achieve these perfect but imperfect plants.

A second educational exhibit by Ikebana International welcomed visitors and showed the diversity of Ikebana designs.

It was great fun to have a GCA flower show in our area and it gave some of our local talent an opportunity to win some coveted GCA awards. Congratulations to the Huntingdon Valley Garden Club and Wissahickon Garden Club for a very successful and fun event. And congratulations to all of the exhibitors and award winners.