Flower Design Schedule

See summary chart of monthly schedules below with details underneath the chart.
See Flower Design Rules for 2025-2026.
Check Workshops for assistance.
See also NGC Handbook for Flower Shows.
No December competitions.
See Flower Show 2024.
See Flower Show 2022.
See Clerking Guidelines.

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.

FD Advanced Plus 1st Place Cynthia Corhan-Aitken.jpg

February 23, 2026

Canceled, due to snowstorm.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
March 23, 2026

Tea Table: TBD
All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
Wall background is an off-white curtain.
No green floral foam may be used in any design.

Provisional

An American Traditional Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.71. (3)

Staged on a shelf 43" from the floor. Frame of reference: 14"W x 12"D.

Novice

An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design

See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.71. (b)

Staged on a table 30" high. Frame of reference: 24'W x 24"D. Underlay required.

Intermediate

A Multi-Rhythmic Design

See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.73-75

Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference 24”W x 24”D, staged in front of a two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor. No height restriction. Designer’s choice of plant material and components (may be recycled.)

Advanced

A Creative Design

Using at least three floral techniques specified in the Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.81-83, staged on a dark green pedestal 42”H with a 14” square top provided by committee. Frame of reference: design may not exceed 6” beyond pedestal top in any horizontal direction. No height restriction; underlay permitted, not to exceed pedestal top. Designer’s choice of plant material and components (may be recycled).

Advanced Plus

A Panel Design

See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.75

Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24” D; two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay required; staging panel will determine height of frame of reference, not exceeding 48”. Designer’s choice of pant material and components (may be recycled.)

Showcasing flower designs will naturally be part of the celebration and we have decided to segue from our usual monthly competition format and do something different. Following are the plans for the flower design component of the evening’s celebration:

The theme for the flower design showcase is “Flower Designing through the Decades”
We will exhibit 11 designs (see the list below for details) commemorating the decades from the 1920s to the 2020s and ask designers to create a piece that reflects various aspects of a particular decade,
This will not be a judged competition. Designers are free to do whatever they choose: fresh or dried plant martial, painted material, etc. (just NO traditional Oasis Advantage floral foam)
All designs will be on pedestals, either 42” or 36” tall
There will be no distinctive design divisions (Provisional, Novice, etc); all designers can opt to do any design
Note that Botanical Arts and Horticulture will remain as planned in the Garden Club room for judging this day.
We are looking for 11 designers to exhibit for this event.
In the interest of fairness, after you review the attached document we ask that you rank your top three decade choices (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and your selections will be honored “first come, first served,” based on replies to this email. If we find that we have more than 11 volunteers, we will ask some of you to do a small table design for this event.
Details about setting up designs will be sent in a future email as we get closer to the event.

Flower Designing through the Decades

1920s - Art Deco Sophistication

Design look:

• formal, symmetrical, architectural

• strong lines, vertical emphasis, elegant restraint

• influenced by luxury, jazz culture, and modernism

Typical flowers:

• calla lilies in tall vases

• orchids (especially cymbidium)

• long-stemmed roses arranged tightly

• minimal greenery, polished containers (metal, glass)

Signature vibe: glamorous, sculptural, “cocktail party chic

1930s - Elegant but Restrained

Design look:

• still structured but softer than the 20’s

• graceful curves, fewer flowers due to economic hardship

• beauty through proportion, not abundance

Typical flowers:

• garden roses

• lilies

• sweet peas

• small hand-tied or low centerpiece arrangements

Signature vibe: refined, dignified, quietly romantic

1940s - Modest and Meaningful

Design look:

• practical, sentimental, home-grown

• smaller arrangements

• symbolism mattered more than style

Typical flowers:

• carnations

• chrysanthemums

• daisies

• victory garden flowers in simple vessels

Signature vibe: heartfelt, patriotic, humble beauty

1950s - Romantic Abundance

Design look:

• full, rounded, lush

• highly feminine and polished

• symmetry and volume prized

Typical flowers:

• roses, baby’s breath

• carnations and chrysanthemums

• peonies

• big dining table centerpieces

Signature vibe: classic romance, suburban elegance

1960s- Flower Power Freedom

Design look:

• loose, wild, expressive

• bright colors, symmetry

• flowers as political and cultural symbols

Typical flowers:

• daisies

• sunflowers

• zinnias

• mixed wildflower bunches tied with ribbon or string

Signature vibe: joyful rebellion, peace and love

1970s - Bohemian and Earthy

Design look:

• natural, flowing, unstructured

• heavy use of foliage and texture

• earthy tone and dried elements

Typical flowers:

• marigolds

• brown-toned roses

• protea (emerging popularity

• grasses, eucalyptus, ferns

Signature vibe: free spirited but grounded, nature-driven

1980s - Bold and Maximalist

Design look:

• big, dramatic, colorful

• “more is more”

• arrangements were statement pieces

Typical flowers:

• orchids

• anthuriums

• birds of paradise

• roses in hot pinks and reds

• large cascading or fan-shaped designs

Signature vibe: power, glamor, excess

1990s - Minimal and Natural

Design look:

• clean lines, few flowers

• casual, slightly rustic

• reaction against 80’s excess

Typical flowers:

• sunflowers

• calla lilies

• tulips

Signature vibe: relaxed, fresh, understated

2000s - Structured Modern Romance

Design look:

• polished, intentional, customized

• clean shapes with soft romance

• event focused

Typical flowers:

• white rose

• calla lilies

• hydrangeas

• monochromatic bouquets (all white was huge)

Signature vibe: elegant, contemporary, tailored

2010s - Eclectic Garden Style

Design look:

• loose but styled

• vintage + modern mix

• “just picked from the garden” look

Typical flowers:

• ranunculus

• dahlias

• garden roses

• anemones

• mixed textures+ greenery (eucalyptus, olive branches)

Signature vibe: romantic, artisanal, Instagram-ready

2020s - Natural, Nostalgic, Expressive

Design look:

• hyper-natural or hyper-minimal

• sustainability matters

• emotional storytelling through flowers

Typical flowers:

• locally grown seasonal blooms

• dried and fresh flowers

• scabiosa, hellebore, cosmos

• asymmetrical, airy

Back to description of the April 27 party flower project

Decades

Farm to Table
October 20, 2025

Tea Table: TBD
All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths.
Wall background is an off-white curtain.
No green floral foam may be used in any design.

Provisional

A Companion Design *
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.79.
Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference 14”W x 12”D; no height restriction.

Exhibit is critiqued only. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted.

* This is a design in which two exhibitors work together to create a single design, where a more experienced designer (chosen by the Provisional) mentors/encourages the Provisional.

Novice

An American Traditional Design in the Form of a Triangle
See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.70-71.
Staged on a table 30” high. Allowable space 24”W x 18”D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted.

Intermediate

An American Traditional Vertical Line-Mass Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.70.
Staged on a dark green pedestal 42” high with a 14” square top provided by committee. Frame of reference: design may not exceed 6” beyond pedestal top in any horizontal direction; no height restriction; underlay optional, not to exceed pedestal top. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted.

Advanced

A Creative Line Design
See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.74.
Staged on a table 42” high; Frame of reference 24”W x 24”D; staged in front of a two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted.

Advanced Plus

An Exhibition Table

See Handbook for Flower Shows, p.76
Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference 30”W x 24”D staged using a two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor; no height restriction. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts, vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted.