Print by Group    »    Division I: Floral Design   »   Class 7. Nature’s Splendor (6 entries)
A GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA MAJOR FLOWER SHOW
April 15-16, 2025
Division I: Floral Design
Grandeur
Class 7. Nature’s Splendor
award
show No.
FD25
Exhibitor(s)
Debby Melnyk Peachtree Garden Club, Zone VIII
Statement of Intent

"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree

A tree whose hungry mouth pressed
Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;"
Joyce Kilmer
Plant(s)
Anthurium — anthuriumDracaena — dracaenaRosa — rosePalmarum sp. — palm spathePalmarum sp. — palm cupLathyrus ocloratus — sweet pea
Topic
 
The Gust of Wind

Gustave Courbet
The Gust of Wind, c. 1865
Oil on canvas
57 3/4 x 90 7/8 in.
Museum purchase funded by Caroline Wiess Law, 2002.216
Judges' comments

The form and visual dominance of the palm spathe evokes the motion of the painting. The rhythm is interrupted by the placement of the anthurium.

A GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA MAJOR FLOWER SHOW
April 15-16, 2025
Division I: Floral Design
Grandeur
Class 7. Nature’s Splendor
award
1st
show No.
FD26
Exhibitor(s)
Debbie Robinson The Garden Club of Houston, Zone IX
Statement of Intent

Ready to Pounce!
Plant(s)
Cymbidium sp. — orchidSabal palmetto — palm
Topic
 
Tiger on the Watch

Jean-Léon Gérôme
Tiger on the Watch, 1808
Oil on canvas
41 1/8 x 58 7/8 in.
Museum purchase funded by the Alice Pratt Brown Museum Fund, the Brown Foundation Accessions Endowment, Isabel B. and Wallace S. Wilson, The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Ann Trammell, 2005.31
Judges' comments

This distinctive and harmonious design sweeps us away and captures the essence of the painting.

A GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA MAJOR FLOWER SHOW
April 15-16, 2025
Division I: Floral Design
Grandeur
Class 7. Nature’s Splendor
award
3rd
show No.
FD27
Exhibitor(s)
Julie Griffin The Garden Club of Houston, Zone IXHeather Firestone The Garden Club of Houston, Zone IX
Statement of Intent

The weathered driftwood and the contrasting cala lilies represent a reflection of nature's power, transformation and beauty.
Plant(s)
Alstroemeria aurea — Peruvian lilyZantedeschia aethiopica — calla lillyMonstera deliciosa — monstera leafCordyline fruticosa — ti leaf
Topic
 
Sheerness as Seen from the Nore (The Lloyd Seapiece)

Joseph Mallord William Turner
Sheerness as Seen from the Nore (The Lloyd Seapiece), 1808
Oil on canvas
41 1/8 x 58 7/8 in.
Museum purchase funded by the Alice Pratt Brown Museum Fund, the Brown Foundation Accessions Endowment, Isabel B. and Wallace S. Wilson, The Brown Foundation, Inc., and Ann Trammell, 2005.31
Judges' comments

Rhythmic form and line are created with the use of well chosen components. The distinction is impacted by the appearance of mechanics at the base as well as the visible cut calla stem.

A GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA MAJOR FLOWER SHOW
April 15-16, 2025
Division I: Floral Design
Grandeur
Class 7. Nature’s Splendor
award
2nd
show No.
FD28
Exhibitor(s)
Tara Caldwell The Garden Club of Houston, Zone IX
Statement of Intent

“In the spring, a young man’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love.” – Alfred Lord Tennyson
Plant(s)
Cymbidium — boat orchidAnthurium — anthuriumActinidia arguta — kiwi vineCedrus deodara — deodar cedar coneColophospermum mopane — mopaniUlmus alata — winged elmBrahea armata — palm blutePrunus dulcis — badam nutCycnoches — swan orchidEucalyptus — seeded eucalyptusAnthurium — dried anthurium leavesNelumbo nucifera — lotus pod
Topic
 
A Bull Fight

Jacques-Raymond Brascassat
A Bull Fight, 1855
Oil on canvas
57 x 75 3/4 in.
Museum purchase funded by Fayez Sarofim in honor of Meredith J. Long at “One Great Night in November, 1991,” 91.1556
Judges' comments

Forms and textures of truly distinctive plant material create a design of great beauty and expression.

A GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA MAJOR FLOWER SHOW
April 15-16, 2025
Division I: Floral Design
Grandeur
Class 7. Nature’s Splendor
award
Honorable Mention
show No.
FD29
Exhibitor(s)
Sue Ashmun Seattle Garden Club, Zone XII
Statement of Intent

The division between humankind and the natural world is not a fixed reality, but rather a construct of perception - a choice.

Plant(s)
Panicum elegans — explosion grassAnigozanthos flavidus — kangaroo paw greyLepidium — pepperwortEryngium — sea hollyLagurus ovatus — bunny tail grassScabiosa — pincushion flowerPteridium aquillinum — bracken fernPhlox — phlox blind lion blackPittosporum — mock orangeCladonia rangiferina — reindeer moss
Topic
 
Sluice in the Optevoz Valley

Charles-Francois Daubigny
Sluice in the Optevoz Valley, 1854
Oil on canvas
35 1/2 x 63 1/4 in.
Museum purchase funded by Anaruth and Aron S. Gordon, 79.122
Judges' comments

A tapestry of subtle color and textural harmony are reflective of nature and the artwork. The upper half of the design dominates.

A GARDEN CLUB OF AMERICA MAJOR FLOWER SHOW
April 15-16, 2025
Division I: Floral Design
Grandeur
Class 7. Nature’s Splendor
award
show No.
FD30
Exhibitor(s)
Betsy Coates Garden Club of Santa Barbara, Zone XII
Statement of Intent

Influenced by Greek myth, this arrangement's floral elements symbolize the Underworld's gloom, and the fleeing couple's hope for a successful escape to the Upper-world.
Plant(s)
Arctostaphylos 'feather purple' — acaciaArctostaphylos 'knifeblade' — acaciaConsolida — larkspur-whiteEucalyptus 'gunei' — eucalyptusManzanita — manzanitaSalix — curly willowEryngium 'blue thistle' — eryngiumDelphinium 'hybrid-light blue' — delphiniumScabiosa — scabiosa podsAstilbe — astilbe whiteAstilbe — astilbe pinkAcacia — acacia foliagePittisporum — pittisporum silver queenLimonium — misty white limoniumEriostemon — eriostemon flower girl white
Topic
 
Orpheus Leading Eurydice from the Underworld

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
Orpheus Leading Eurydice from the Underworld, 1861
Oil on canvas
44 3/8 x 54 in.
Museum purchase funded by the Agnes Cullen Arnold Endowment, 87.190
Judges' comments

A harmonious color palette, contrasting textures and forms create an ethereal design. When viewed from either side the slanted placement of plant material creates an imbalance.