Flower Design Schedule
The theme for 2026-2027 is "Music Blooms Throughout the Year."
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See summary chart of monthly schedules below with details underneath the chart.
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See also NGC Handbook for Flower Shows.
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No December competitions.
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See Flower Show 2024.
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See Flower Show 2022.
Need a refresher prior to GCM's monthly competitions? We have online videos to help, featuring Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judges.
Classical Music
October 19, 2026
Register with Barbara Baletti by October 15.
Tea Table: TBD
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All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
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Wall background is an off-white curtain.
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Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted.
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Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule.
Provisional
An American Traditional Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp .70-71
Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 18” H. Only fresh plant material can be used.
Novice
An American Traditional Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.70-71.
Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 22”W x 24”D x 24”H. Underlay optional. Only fresh plant material must be used.
Intermediate
An American Traditional Triangular Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp. 70-71.
Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 32”H. Staging panel and underlay required. Only fresh plant material can be used.
Advanced
A Cascade Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.65.
Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 14” square top. Frame of reference: 14”W x 14”D; height determined by exhibitor.
Advanced Plus
A Creative Design using ONLY foliage (fresh and/or dried) as plant material. Foliage can be manipulated. Non-plant material may be used but is subordinate to the foliage. Flowers, fungi, husks, kelp, moss, seaweed, sheaths, spathes and bare stems/branches cannot be used. Staged on a 36” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay optional not to exceed 14” pedestal top.
Country Music
November 16, 2026
Register with Barbara Baletti by November 12.
Tea table: TBD
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All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
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Wall background is an off-white curtain.
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Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted.
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Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule.
Provisional
An American Traditional Vertical Line Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.70-71.
Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 24”W x 12”D x 18”H. Only fresh plant material can be used.
Novice
An American Traditional Vertical Line Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp. 70-71.
Staged on a table 30" high. Frame of reference: 18”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay required. Only fresh plant material may be used.
Intermediate
An American Traditional Line Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp..70-71
Staged on a pedestal 36” high. Frame of reference: 14”W x 14”D x height determined by exhibitor.
Advanced
A Creative Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp. 71-72.
Emphasizes some type of fiber work, fiber art, or actual fibers within the design. Fiber may be visible in any portion of the design, including staging panel and/or underlay. Fiber may be man-made (acrylic, nylon, polyester) or natural (cotton, wool, hemp, or any fibrous material). Fiber art may include but not limited to crocheting, embroidery, felting, knitting, quilting, weaving, wrapping, etc. Fiber used must be listed on a 3’x5’ card. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 36"H.
Advanced Plus
A Creative Horizontal Design with a dominant strong horizontal rhythm.
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.74. D
Balance is typically asymmetrical and achieved by unlike forms, sizes, and colors. This design is not a traditional centerpiece. Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 30”W x14”D x14”H.
Jazz
January 25, 2027
Register with Barbara Baletti by January 21.
Tea Table: TBD
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All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
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Wall background is an off-white curtain.
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Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted.
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Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule.
Provisional
An American Traditional Design in the Form of a Triangle
See Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 70-71.
Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 12"H. Only fresh material can be used. Underlay required.
Novice
A Petite Traditional Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 73.
Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 10”W x 8”D x 12H. Underlay required.
Intermediate
A Petite Tubular Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 77 R.
Staged on a 9” square cube on a 30” high table. Frame of reference: 9”W x 9” D x 9”H. Underlay optional.
Advanced
A Panel Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 75 K.
Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 20”W x 20”D height determined by exhibitor. Underlay required not to exceed 16” pedestal top.
Advanced Plus
A Creative Design featuring mixed-media components (2 or more) integrated into the design to emphasize Color, Form, Pattern, and Texture. Mixed Media component are non-plant material components. They are manufactured components which include (but not limited to) paper, yarn, rattan, caning materials, fabric, cardboard, leather, wire, plastic, etc. Mixed Media differs from Multi-Media as it does not include sound or video projection. Mixed Media used must be listed on a 3” x 5” card. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 36” H. Staging panel and underlay required.
Rock and Roll
February 22, 2027
Register with Barbara Baletti by February 18.
Tea Table: TBD
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All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
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Wall background is an off-white curtain.
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Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted.
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Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule.
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All exhibits eligible for the Barbara Meyer Rose Award.
Provisional
An American Traditional Line Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 70-71.
Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 18"H. Only fresh plant material can be used.
Novice
An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 70-71
Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 30”W x 14”D x 14”H. Underlay optional. Only fresh plant material can be used.
Intermediate
A Parallel Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp. 70-71
Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 32”H. Staging panel and underlay required.
Advanced
A Multi-Rhythmic Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 75 J.
Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay optional.
Advanced Plus
A Creative Hanging Design with unrestrictive movement. It cannot be static. The design must freely rotate, suspended from a hook in a frame. Design must not stop moving when encountering the sides of the frame. Staged in a black frame 22”W x 36”H on a table 30” high, frame to be supplied by club.
Latin Rhythms
March 22, 2027
Register with Barbara Baletti by March 18.
Tea Table: TBD
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All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
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Wall background is an off-white curtain.
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Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted.
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Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule.
Provisional
An American Traditional Mass Design of your choice
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.70-71
Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 18”H. Only fresh plant material can be used.
Novice
An American Traditional Mass Design of your choice
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.70-71
Staged on a 36” high pedestal with a 14” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 18”D x 32”H. Staging panel and underlay optional. Only fresh plant material must be used.
Intermediate
A Multi-Rhythmic Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p. 75 J
Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay optional.
Advanced
An Exhibition Table
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p. 76
Not meant to be functional, created artistically to suggest the service of food with no requirements as to the type or number of table appointments. Frame of reference: 24”W x 18”D x 36”H. Staged on a table 30” high. Staging panel and underlay required.
Advanced Plus
An Assemblage Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p. 77
A three-dimensional abstract design consisting of plant material and “found” unrelated disparate objects. Found objects are non-art objects, not made or manufactured for decorative purposes. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 18”D x 36”H. Staging panel and underlay required.
The Final Coda
April 26, 2027
This month’s competition is open to all design levels. Each exhibitor, regardless of design level, will create a design, freedom of style and type, to be staged as instructed below. The design requirements for all exhibitors include:
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selecting one of this year’s monthly musical themes (Classical, Country, Jazz, Rock and Roll, or Latin)
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choosing a specific song/piece of music from that musical genre and citing the artist/composer
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creating a design interpreting that piece of music.
Exhibitors must list the following on a 3” x 5” index card to display next to their design:
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Musical Genre
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Song/Composition Title
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Name of Artist/Composer
Register with Barbara Baletti by April 22.
Tea Table: TBD
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All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
-
Wall background is an off-white curtain.
-
Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted.
-
Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule.
Provisional
Design staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x18”H.
Novice
Design staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 20”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor.
Intermediate
Design staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 36”H. Staging panel and underlay required.
Advanced
Design staged on a 42” pedestal with a 14” square top. Underlay optional
Advanced Plus
Design staged on a 36” pedestal with a 16” square top. Underlay optional.