You Are Cordially Invited to a Small Standard Flower Show! Saturday, August 20, 2016

You are cordially invited to the last flower show event  in NCAGC this summer!

What's really special about NCAGC DIII Director Jane Smith's District III garden clubs (serving communities in the northern Virginia area), is that they are hosting a wonderful flower show on Saturday, August 20, 2016 in conjunction with Historic Vienna, Virginia,  that has sections open to the public.  So if you've been growing tomatoes, squash, fruits and vegetables, select your finest, prettiest and plumpest specimens and come enter for competition.  Is there a junior gardener in your family? Children are welcome to compete their horticultural specimens, too!  There's something for everyone so bring the family.

And here's the  District III Small Standard Flower How "Schedule." - For those of your unfamiliar with flower show terminology, a 'schedule' is every detail and rule pertaining to a specific flower show.  Specific rules for a flower show where a non-garden club person might enter give you direction on preparing your horticulture specimens for judging.  Make sure you take ripeness, color, shape and size into consideration. You may want to bring several specimens for the judges to inspect. So do be sure to read the schedule carefully.  

Flower Show Season - A Gift to Everyone

Thea here.  Today I'm celebrating garden club flower shows.  I took these pictures on my phone so it's strictly amateur hour, but here are some of my favorite shots from flower shows I attended, including District II's Standard Flower Show, District I's Small Standard Show, and Rock Spring Garden Club (that's MY club, BTW) -

Multi Rhythmic Design by Jane Smith

National Capital Area Garden Club's membership did an outstanding job hosting Small Standard and Standard Flower Shows over the last few months.  Each District has hosted a flower show within the last year, and District III will host a small standard flower show this coming August.

Monarch educational exhibit

I cannot emphasize enough the purposes of a Standard Flower Show:  to EDUCATE club members and the viewing public; to stimulate interest in horticulture and floral design; to provide an outlet for creative expression; to convey to the community objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc..

Having attended and participated in my own club's hosting, and entering horticulture and floral designs and educational exhibits for competition, I have learned so much, made many new friends, and, well, I had a blast!

My buddy, Joan, working and having fun

I truly believe the most important part is having our flower shows open to the PUBLIC.

Club Member, John, discussing his award winning flower show specimens with guests

 I cannot think of a better way to let people know that there are active, thriving and interesting people working, learning and sharing information that promotes gardening, highlights environmental concerns, promotes beautification in their communities, partners with schools and other civic organizations, and provides a way to continue your journey of life long learning.

Hi Renee! friends working together

Horticulture specimens ready for judging

Very creative staging by Mary Cottrell

Poss Tarpley's award winning creative design

Having a garden club organization invested in your community is a blessing.  Feel free to contact me if you are interested in joining a club in your area.

District I  small standard flower show top award displays for horticulture

Flower Shows In the Month of June in National Capital Area - And You are all Invited!

Spring and early Summer are quite popular times for garden clubs in National Capital Area Garden Clubs to host a Standard or Small Standard Flower Show.  Many people ask what exactly is a standard flower show and here is it's definition:

The purposes of a Standard Flower Show:  to educate club members and viewing public. To stimulate interest in horticulture and floral design. To provide an outlet for creative expression. To convey to the community objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc.

We are pleased to announce three flower shows that will happen in the month of June - and they are NOT to be missed!

Vienna, Virginia's Five Hills Garden Club is hosting with Meadowlark Gardens a Standard Flower Show, "A Walk in the Garden" on Thursday, June 7, 2016.  This show is free and open to the public from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Meadowlark Garden's Atrium Building, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, Virginia (near Wolf Trap and Route 7).  Five Hills Garden Club is a member of National Capital Area Garden Clubs' District III (Northern Virginia).

Then, on Saturday, June 11, 2016, National Capital Area Garden Clubs' District I is hosting a Small Standard Flower Show, "Summer Serenade," at 12325 Hatton Point Road, Fort Washington, MD.  This sure-to-be wonderful show is free and open to the public from 2:30 - 4:00p.m.  

And to finish off the splendid month, District IV is hosting a Standard Flower Show, "Yankee Doodle Dandy," at the Strathmore Mansion, Rockville Pike, Rockville MD, that is free and open to the public on Thursday, June 23, 2016 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.; and on Friday, June 24, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

Do come and see one  or all of our exciting garden club events this month!  

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO A STANDARD FLOWER SHOW NEAR YOU!

The purposes of a Standard Flower Show:  to educate club members and viewing public. To stimulate interest in horticulture and floral design. To provide an outlet for creative expression. To convey to the community objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Standard Flower Shows are a wonderful part of garden club activity.  Flower shows give us the opportunity to see the finest specimens of local horticulture - flowers, perennials, bulbs, shrubs, trees, and floral designs and educational and special exhibits.

Right now, garden clubs across the United States are hosting flower shows that are free and open to the public. Mark your calendars now to attend these right here in the National Capital Area Garden Club region during the month of April, May and June:

April 8 & 9 in Alexandria, Virginia:

April 16 in Great Falls, Virginia:

April 21 in Arlington, Virginia:

Don't forget the Washington Daffodill Show in Fairfax April 21 and 22!

And in Vienna, Virginia on Sunday, April 24:

And beginning April 1 at the U.S. National Arboretum, designs by Ikebana International:

And May 3:

And June 11, District I is hosting a District Flower Show in Fort Washington, MD:

And in June - June 23 (1-4pm) & 24 (10am-3pm) at Strathmore Mansion, Rockville, MD:

I'll be sure to add our other Garden Club Standard Flower Shows for Spring when I hear about them!