Design Exhibit Schedule
GARDEN CLUB EXHIBITS THEME 2025-2026
THEME: Expressing Weather Forecasts Through Floral Design
This year’s theme for the Artistic Design schedule is “Expressing Weather Forecasts Through Floral Design”. Each month we will explore potential weather forecasts and express our interpretation through floral design. Delve into your inner creative genius and channel your emotions regarding good or bad weather forecasts by creating pleasing floral designs.
Show us your horticultural and creative talents by participating in the horticultural and floral design exhibits. It’s up to you to accept the challenge and join the fun by participating in the Artistic Design and/or Horticultural Exhibits each month! We are looking forward to seeing your exhibits this season!
EXHIBITING AT MONTHLY MEETINGS
Challenge Class is open only to those members who have won the Jean Evans Artistic Bowl Trophy at least once and have completed the intermediate class requirements of 16 points.
Intermediate Class is for those members who have successfully completed the Novice Class requirements. To move from Intermediate to Challenge, it is necessary to earn at least 16 points during the current year in this class and to have won the Jean Evans Artistic Bowl Trophy at least once.
Novice Class is open to members who have not entered in previous club years, or who have not yet successfully completed the Novice Class requirements in past years. To move up to Intermediate, it is necessary to earn at least 12 points and a single Blue Ribbon in the current club year.
Open Class is for all members. They may submit one entry per person that suits their creative imagination in floral design and is not related to the evening’s design theme. Points do not accrue to any other class or award.
The revised 2017 Handbook for Flower Shows contains all the rules and information required for exhibits. If you do not wish to purchase the Handbook, it is now offered as a free download: National Garden Club – Handbook for Flower Shows. Please also review the MGC Yearbook’s ‘Artistic and Horticulture Division Rules’ on pages 13-16 as well.
September
Theme: Hot Days of Summer: Bright & Light Colored Flowers
Challenge: Tapestry Design, see Handbook, p.79.
Intermediate: Creative Line Design – Vertical Line, see Handbook, p.74.
Novice: American Traditional Mass Design, see Handbook, pp.70-71.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Fruit or Vegetable (maximum 3 varieties per member)
2. Annual – 1 cut specimen in vase or container
3. Perennial – 1 cut specimen in vase or container
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
October
Theme: Sunny with Chance of Rain: Mixed Colored Flowers
Challenge:Transparency Design, see Handbook, p.77.
Intermediate: American Traditional Line Design – Zig-Zag, see Handbook, pp.70-71.
Novice: American Traditional Line Design – Vertical Line, see Handbook, pp.70-71.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Coleus Collection (minimum of 5 cuttings in the collection)
2. Dahlia, 1 cut specimen in a vase/container
3. Hostas, 3 leaves from the same plant
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
November
Theme: Threatening Skies Ahead: Dark Colored Flowers
Challenge:Multi-Rhythmic Design, see Handbook, p. 75.
Intermediate:Assemblage Design, see Handbook, p.77.
Novice:American Traditional Line Design – Crescent Shape, see Handbook, pp. 70-71.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Chrysanthemum, 1 sprig
2. Non-Flowering Plant – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
3. Fern – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
December
Theme: Wind Warning: High Winds Expected: Wispy Looking Flowers and/or Foliage
Challenge:Cascade Design, see Handbook, p.73.
Intermediate:Angular Design, see Handbook, p.73.
Novice: American Traditional Line Design – Mass – Angular, see Handbook, p.70-71.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Schlumbergera syn. Zygocactus cactus (Christmas/Thanksgiving cactus)
2. Succulent Plant other than cactus – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
3. Ilex (holly) branch, not to exceed 24”
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
January
Theme: Chance for Snow Squalls: Monochromatic, All White Flowers
Challenge:Spatial Thrust Design, see Handbook, p.75.
Intermediate: Creative Mass Design, see Handbook, p.74.
Novice: Cascade Design, see Handbook, pp. 72 & 73.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Jade Plant – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
2. Fern Leaf, 1 frond
3. Hippeastrum (Amaryllis) – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
February
Theme: Ice Storm Warning: White and/or Lightly Colored Flowers & Spiky-Shaped Flowers or Foliage
Challenge: Parallel Design, see Handbook, p.75.
Intermediate: Reflective Design, see Handbook, p.75.
Novice: Transparency Design, see Handbook, pp.72 & 77.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Vining Plant – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
2. Aloe Plant – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
3. Santpaulia ionantha (African Violet) – potted
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
March
Theme: Heavy Rain in the Forecast: Dark Colored Flowers
Challenge: Underwater Design, see Handbook, p.79.
Intermediate: Parallel Design, see Handbook, p.75.
Novice: American Traditional Line Design – S Curve, see Handbook, pp. 70-71.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Oxalis Plant – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
2. Bromeliad – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
3. Philodendron – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
April
Theme: Clear Blue Skies Ahead with Large Puffy Clouds: Round Flowers with Puffy Appearance
Challenge: Tubular Design, see Handbook, p.77.
Intermediate: Creative Line-Mass Design – Horizontal Line, see Handbook, p.74..
Novice: American Traditional Line Design – Horizontal Line, see Handbook, pp. 70-71.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Narcissus (Daffodil), 1 cut specimen
2. Flowering House Plant – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
3. Helleborus (Lenten Rose), 1 cut specimen
4. Open (maximum 2 entries per member)
May
Theme: Rain or Shine: Flowers with a Mix of Shapes and Colors
Challenge: Creative Mass Design, see Handbook, p.74.
Intermediate: Framed Spatial Design, see Handbook, p.74.
Novice: European Traditional Design – English – Victorian Era, see Handbook, pp. 69-70.
Open: Designer’s choice (one entry per member).
Artistic Design Exhibits – Please read “Artistic Design Rules” beginning on page 13 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 7 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
Horticultural Exhibits – Please read “Horticulture Division Rules” beginning on page 14 of the MGC Yearbook as well as Chapter 6 of the 2017 revised edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows.
1. Pelargonium (Geranium) – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
2. Flowering Branch – not to exceed 24”
3. Marigold – potted (container not to exceed 10” radius)
4. Open (maximum of 2 entries per member)