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Flower Show School Resources

Flower shows provide a unique opportunity for floral designers, horticulturalists, judges and the viewing public to become an integral part of the creative process. Judges use the Handbook for Flower Shows as a guideline to thoughtfully and impartially evaluate flower show exhibits. This book provides the tools necessary to successfully plan, execute and judge a flower show. We invite you to use it to shape the creative process as you exhibit in upcoming flower shows. 

Flower Show School Forms & Information

Digital Flower Show Handbook - Revised July 2023

Handbook Update Pages

If you already own the handbook or want to purchase the printed 2017 copy from our store, then you can just simply add these revisions instead of downloading or printing the entire updated handbook listed above.

Flower Show Schools Information

Flower Show School Forms

Scales of Points

Flower Show School Course Curricula

NGC Flower Show Schools provide an educational opportunity for participants to increase their knowledge of NGC Flower Show procedures. Participants gain skills in exhibiting and judging the various Flower Show divisions with emphasis on the Horticulture and Design Divisions. Members are welcome to attend Flower Show School to become Flower Show Judges or to just gain knowledge while having fun.

VIEW AND DOWNLOAD THE FULL FLOWER SHOW SCHOOL COURSE 1-4 CURRICULUM HERE.

Flower Show School Reading

The following required reading list applies to all Flower Show School courses. Students should read pages as noted in Student Outlines provided by each course instructor.

Handbook for Flower Shows, 2017 Edition Outlines of Period Flower Arranging Horticulture Exhibiting and Judging
Frances J. Hannay

National Garden Clubs continues to set the direction for American floral designing and raise the bar for both exhibitors and judges, and educates both our members and the public in floral design, horticulture and NGC projects. Find the 2017 Flower Show Handbook here. 

Outlines of Period Flower Arranging - Frances J. Hannay Required for Course 1 only.

This book is a supplement to the Handbook for Flower Shows.  It was written to help garden club members entering shows and judges trying to determine winning exhibits.  Information includes physical characteristics, conditioning and grooming, requirements for exhibiting, as well as judging considerations for plants commonly exhibited in Standard Flower Shows.  Photographs enhance the text, providing clarity for both faults and superiority. Anyone interested in horticulture will find this book a worthy addition to a personal library!

While not required for attending Flower Show School, these books provide additional information for exhibitors and judges on specific design types and horticulture entries.

Guide to the New Petite Floral Designs Hortulana, The 21st Century Edition Designing by Types
Anna G. Burns Nancy A. Heber Harriett Osborn, Editor

Learn all about creating amazing designs - all 12" or less. Purchase this book directly from the author here.

A garden club member, a flower show judge or an individual who needs the correct spelling of a plant’s botanical name will find Hortulana helpful…a quick, reliable reference guide.

This book complements the design chapter of the 2007 edition of the Handbook for Flower Shows. It contains over 190 beautiful color images of designs with text. A marvelous reference for those who enjoy designing!

While not required for attending Flower Show School, these books provide additional information for exhibitors and judges on specific design types and horticulture entries.

Table Settings for All Seasons Plant Families for Designers
June Wood and Deen Day Smith

Enjoy the creation of more beautiful and exciting table settings, with some help from this book.

Interested in creating a monobotanic design? Need to know what plants are in the same family? This paper has all the information you need.

Download here

Contact Us

For any questions regarding NGC's Flower Show Schools, please contact:

contact

Judy Binns, NGC Flower Show School Chairman