Buffalo’s sunny skies and warm temperatures greeted gardeners from across the nation and around the world as they arrived last week for the 83rd national convention of the National Garden Clubs Inc.
There was plenty to do at the convention, called “Explore the Wonders.” Internationally renowned speakers, seminars, tours and a flower show were all part of the convention.
In future articles I’ll share some of the things I learned at the convention, and today I’ll give you a glimpse of the amazing exhibits at the flower show.
Let me start by saying that this is only a sampling of the hundreds of entries on display. I hope my sample gives you enjoyment and inspiration for your own creations.
The themes centered around New York State. 
Above left is an entry from Maria Nahom of Connecticut for “Weekend Getaway at the Falls.” The colors remind me of the changing colors of the water on a summer day, while the suspended glasses neatly capture the feeling of the cascading water.
One of the most unusual creations I’ve seen in a flower show is the collage above right created by Jackie Lundberg of Ohio. The theme was “Mount Marcy,” which is the highest elevation in New York State.
Lundberg’s art piece is large, perhaps five feet by three feet. A pattern of twigs was used to suggest mountaintops. Other natural elements in the piece included a dried fern and acorn caps, and man-made elements included postage stamps, pictures, ribbon, wire and embossed paper.
At left, a magical miniature world is enclosed in glass in the terrarium created by Kathleen Massing of Willow Ridge Garden Club. It was entered in the combination plantings group and contained asparagus densiflorus, pilea involucrata ‘Moon Valley’ friendship plant, hedera helix ‘Lille Herman’ ivy, cyperus alternifolius ‘Umbrella Plant’ and peperomia magnoliifolia (tricolor).
Height was an important element of this design for “Children’s Zoo,” shown at right.
The giraffe was nearly waist-high, and the main part of the creation towered above our heads. The creation by Margaret McGoff of Michigan used palm spaeth attached to bamboo, braided buri palm bundles, dried and dyed queen flower from New Zealand, basket weaving reed, white cedar and brown anthurium from Hawaii.
The theme for the table setting at left was “Breakfast at the Clinton St. Baking Company,” a local restaurant. Jo Krallman of Arkansas created a table that makes you expect a simple and delicious meal.
If you want to see more great exhibits, stop by “Celebrate Spring,” a small standard flower show to be held from 1 to 4 p.m. tomorrow, May 23, by the Amherst Garden Club in the Community Room of St. John Lutheran Churh, 6540 Main Street, Williamsville. The event is free and open to the public.
Photos by Connie Oswald Stofko.
I’m embarrassed to admit I had to look up Mt. Marcy to see what it was. There’s so much I don’t know about my own state!
Interesting displays. I was looking to see if our club had an exhibit. I did not know of Mt. Marcy, but an Ohioan did. Learn something new everyday.