“Singing in the Rain” was an appropriate name for the Holland Garden Club’s standard flower show, held during soggy weather Friday evening and Saturday.
But what a delight to step inside! The show included a horticulture division, and the smell of so many spring blossoms was wonderful.
At left is one of the entries in the design category called “A Stormy Weather Getaway.” Entrants were asked to create an expressive design in an Oriental manner, staged within a black frame on a pedestal. In this arrangement, Ruth Van Splunder used alstromeria, crab apple blossoms (Malus, double hopa Bechtel crab apple) and English ivy (Hedera helix ‘Ripples’).
For an unusual centerpiece for your next party, consider creating an underwater arrangement. At right is one of the entries in the “Water, Water Everywhere” category, created by Christine Wheaton.
The arrangement features aloe (Aloe aristata). The blossoms are from a houseplant called crown of thorns (Euphorbia milli “Short & Sweet”). The blossoms are attached to the aloe as well as to corkscrew willow twigs (Salix babilonica var. pekinensis totulosa).
Creating an underwater flower arrangement can be tricky because the plant materials won’t stay submerged without help. What Wheaton did to keep the twigs from floating around was to drill holes in a stone and insert the twigs. The twigs expand when they’re underwater, making them more secure.
Wheaton used green twist-tie material to secure the aloe; the wire is hidden by rocks. Jewelry wire and florist putty was used to secure the pink flowers to the twigs.
She noted that you could also use a pin flower frog to secure plant materials in an underwater arrangement, then hide the flower frog with stones.
When choosing plants for a submerged arrangement, you want something that will hold up under water for a period of time. Wheaton chose the aloe and crown of thorn blossoms because they’re fleshy and would hold up throughout the weekend of the flower show.
Another great idea you could use for a party is creating a flower arrangement in an egg shell. Donna Ruminski created the miniature design at left in the “Easter” category of the “Springtime Celebrations” section. It uses grass and sweet woodruff. (I think something like this would be darling as favors at a baby shower, too.)
At right, the sun came out briefly to spotlight Joan Lingenfelter’s entry in “Rainy Day Luncheon,” an exhibition table Type 1, which includes a floral design.
- Exhibition table Type I – Joan Lingenfelter
- Freestanding design – Joanne Sears
- Underwater design – Christine Wheaton
- Miniature design (fresh material) – Joy Bucknam
- Miniature hanging design (dried material) – Sarah Tobin
- Miniature design (fresh and dried material) – Christine Wheaton
- Functional tray for one – Chris Hausauer
- Interpretive design – Sarah Tobin
- Expressive design – Ruthie Van Splunder
The show also included educational exhibits on using water wisely and on native plants.
The show was presented in cooperation with the Holland Kiwanis Club’s Annual Tulip Festival.
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“Singing in the Rain” was an appropriate name for Holland Garden Club’s standard flower show, held during soggy weather Friday evening and Saturday.
What a delight to step inside! The show included a horticulture division, and the smell of so many blossoms was wonderful.
At left is one of the many creative entries.
Exhibition table Type I – Joan Lingenfelter
Freestanding design – Joanne Sears
Underwater design – Christine Wheaton
Miniature design (fresh material) – Joy Bucknam
Miniature hanging design (dried material) – Sarah Tobin
Miniature design (fresh and dried material) – Christine Wheaton
Functional tray for one – Chris Hausauer
Interpretive design – Sarah Tobin
Expressive design – Ruthie Van Splunder
This was the first year that we can remember that two people won two 1st’s in the design classes.
We are very proud of our show. This is the 71st consecutive year that we have held A Standard Flower Show.
Joyce, they are great ideas! Thanks so much for your comment.
Beautiful ideas very helpful