Show examines aesthetic, ecological value of flowers
Green thumbs and “green living” will be on display at the Trevose Horticultural Society’s flower show this year.
Locals can experience one of the area’s largest and longest-running standard flower shows Aug. 21 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wood River Village Auditorium in Bensalem.
The event, which features more than 140 classes of design and horticulture, is open to the public, and admission is free. The show conforms to the National Garden Clubs’ standars, hence the title of standard flower show.
The show’s theme, “Rhapsody in Green,” focuses on global preservation of the earth and sustainability, said Marie Cartwright, public relations director for the show.
Under each artistic design class, four entrants compete for ribbons and awards by creating arrangements of fresh and dried plant material, she said.
“What’s interesting is seeing how each entrant interprets the particular class title and how different they are,” she said. “Each person takes a unique approach and comes up with some really great designs.”
This year’s design classes include: “Turning Over a New Leaf,” composed of bare branches redesigned with recycled components and dried natural plant material; “The Tide is High,” which requires a portion of the overall design be underwater; “Solar Flare,” which suggests the radiant colors of the sun; and “Urban Jungle,” inspired by the flow of a cityscape.
Entries are not limited to society members, but the design classes for this year’s show have been filled, said Cartwright.
Those interested in showing off their green thumb, however, can enter the horticultural competitive classes, which include annuals, perennials, bulbs, roses, evergreen and flowering branches and a collection of cut specimens.
Sections for foliage and flowering container-grown plants, herbs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and more round out the horticulture schedule.
“We have a category to fill just about anything anyone grows,” said Cartwright, adding that anyone interested in entering should contact the society in advance of the event.
The show also gives younger horticulture enthusiasts the chance to showcase their talents through the Junior “Critter” Division. This year’s creative class for those under 14 is “Junk Yard Dog.”
“[The class] inspires the younger generation to make its own version of a critter composed of recycled components with all natural planter materials,” she said. “The kids are very good at that and are very enthusiastic.”
Judging will take place before the show opens Aug. 21. Fifteen accredited judges from the National Council of State Garden Clubs will critique the entries in panels of three and determine each class’s winner.
“The judges will leave comments to better help the public understand what they were looking for,” said Cartwright. “It helps to increase public awareness of horticulture and how the judging process takes place.”
Several informative displays by society members will focus on broadening the public’s awareness of environmental issues, as well, she said.
Among them is Bensalem resident Alice Strack’s “Consumers: Make it Green,” which offers alternative, eco-friendly choices to wasteful landfill products. [CAN CUT] Strack discusses plastic utensils made from biodegradable cornstarch, cloth items versus paper and reusable totes in place of plastic and paper bags, as well as suggested methods for recycling the most common household disposables.
“Live in Harmony with Nature: Eat Green,” by Lucille Messina of Langhorne and Choony Choi of Bensalem, promotes the benefit of eating fresh vegetables for a healthier lifestyle. [CAN CUT] The display features a variety of store-bought and homegrown vegetables, their nutritional values and vitamin contents.
“Natives: The Roots of Their Environment” is a conservation exhibit coordinated by June Rymond and Sally Irons of Feasterville, Phyllis Ford of Huntingdon Valley and Ann Sheridan of Trevose. Native plantings conserve natural resources, adapting to their environment without special needs, according to event literature. [CAN CUT] Examples of natives in the home landscape and potted combination plantings will be featured and handouts will be distributed.
Baked goods, plants, flowers and other “garden-related treasures” will be available for purchase, Cartwright said. Proceeds from those sales and a raffle will go toward student scholarships, she said.
The Trevose Horticultural Society was founded in 1923 and held its first flower show the same year, according to its Web site, www.gardencentral.org/pa/thshome. The society is a part of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and National Garden Clubs, Inc. Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the auditorium at Wood River Village retirement community in Bensalem.
For more information about the show or to obtain a copy of the show’s schedule, call 215-946-8108 or 267-981-5239.
Locals can experience one of the area’s largest and longest-running standard flower shows Aug. 21 from 4 to 9 p.m. and Aug. 22 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Wood River Village Auditorium in Bensalem.
The event, which features more than 140 classes of design and horticulture, is open to the public, and admission is free. The show conforms to the National Garden Clubs’ standars, hence the title of standard flower show.
The show’s theme, “Rhapsody in Green,” focuses on global preservation of the earth and sustainability, said Marie Cartwright, public relations director for the show.
Under each artistic design class, four entrants compete for ribbons and awards by creating arrangements of fresh and dried plant material, she said.
“What’s interesting is seeing how each entrant interprets the particular class title and how different they are,” she said. “Each person takes a unique approach and comes up with some really great designs.”
This year’s design classes include: “Turning Over a New Leaf,” composed of bare branches redesigned with recycled components and dried natural plant material; “The Tide is High,” which requires a portion of the overall design be underwater; “Solar Flare,” which suggests the radiant colors of the sun; and “Urban Jungle,” inspired by the flow of a cityscape.
Entries are not limited to society members, but the design classes for this year’s show have been filled, said Cartwright.
Those interested in showing off their green thumb, however, can enter the horticultural competitive classes, which include annuals, perennials, bulbs, roses, evergreen and flowering branches and a collection of cut specimens.
Sections for foliage and flowering container-grown plants, herbs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and more round out the horticulture schedule.
“We have a category to fill just about anything anyone grows,” said Cartwright, adding that anyone interested in entering should contact the society in advance of the event.
The show also gives younger horticulture enthusiasts the chance to showcase their talents through the Junior “Critter” Division. This year’s creative class for those under 14 is “Junk Yard Dog.”
“[The class] inspires the younger generation to make its own version of a critter composed of recycled components with all natural planter materials,” she said. “The kids are very good at that and are very enthusiastic.”
Judging will take place before the show opens Aug. 21. Fifteen accredited judges from the National Council of State Garden Clubs will critique the entries in panels of three and determine each class’s winner.
“The judges will leave comments to better help the public understand what they were looking for,” said Cartwright. “It helps to increase public awareness of horticulture and how the judging process takes place.”
Several informative displays by society members will focus on broadening the public’s awareness of environmental issues, as well, she said.
Among them is Bensalem resident Alice Strack’s “Consumers: Make it Green,” which offers alternative, eco-friendly choices to wasteful landfill products. [CAN CUT] Strack discusses plastic utensils made from biodegradable cornstarch, cloth items versus paper and reusable totes in place of plastic and paper bags, as well as suggested methods for recycling the most common household disposables.
“Live in Harmony with Nature: Eat Green,” by Lucille Messina of Langhorne and Choony Choi of Bensalem, promotes the benefit of eating fresh vegetables for a healthier lifestyle. [CAN CUT] The display features a variety of store-bought and homegrown vegetables, their nutritional values and vitamin contents.
“Natives: The Roots of Their Environment” is a conservation exhibit coordinated by June Rymond and Sally Irons of Feasterville, Phyllis Ford of Huntingdon Valley and Ann Sheridan of Trevose. Native plantings conserve natural resources, adapting to their environment without special needs, according to event literature. [CAN CUT] Examples of natives in the home landscape and potted combination plantings will be featured and handouts will be distributed.
Baked goods, plants, flowers and other “garden-related treasures” will be available for purchase, Cartwright said. Proceeds from those sales and a raffle will go toward student scholarships, she said.
The Trevose Horticultural Society was founded in 1923 and held its first flower show the same year, according to its Web site, www.gardencentral.org/pa/thshome. The society is a part of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and National Garden Clubs, Inc. Meetings are at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of the month in the auditorium at Wood River Village retirement community in Bensalem.
For more information about the show or to obtain a copy of the show’s schedule, call 215-946-8108 or 267-981-5239.
