Standard Flower Show
Presented by Madison District’s Garden Clubs
Everyone is welcome to enter the show!
The Madison District Garden Clubs present “Space: The New Frontier” Standard Flower Show held during the 2025 PBS Wisconsin Garden & Green Living Expo. Join the fun and try your design and horticulture skills as we explore the universe. You do not need to be a club member to enter the show. All are welcome to register! Nonmembers may register starting Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. The design classes are now full, but horticulture entries are welcome.
National Garden Clubs (NGC) Flower Show Judges evaluate exhibits and viewers are welcome to vote on their favorite each day of the event. A Standard Flower Show is the official title of a flower show conforming to standards established by NGC. All exhibitors MUST follow NGC rules for the show as outlined in the Flower Show Schedule and the downloadable Handbook for Flower Shows. (This includes not using artificial plant materials or coloring fresh ones.) To receive the schedule, get more information and register to exhibit, contact [email protected].
Floral Design Opportunities include the following and must include plant material. (Exhibitors must pre-register to enter.)
- Earth Explorations is a creative design containing some plant material and other components submerged underwater. Not all plant material must be submerged.
- Blast Off is a spatial thrust creative design created with two parallel placements of similar design components. There is an emphasis on two thrusting lines in any direction with space between them.
- Space Junk is an assemblage, three-dimensional design consisting of “found” unrelated items and plant material. The design is viewed from the floor on all sides.
- Lost in Space is a functional table for one with a complete decorative unit in scale to the place setting. The design is viewed 18 inches from the floor on a crate.
- Aura Borealis (Northern Lights) is an exhibition table (a non-functional table) that includes some plant material and incorporates lights as an integral part of the design.
- Solar Flares is an exhibition table (a non-functional table) that has a complete decorative design.
- Hidden Figures is a petite (12 inches) transparency design with see-through elements integrated into the design and permitting some components to be viewed through others.
- Shooting Star is a petite (12 inches) design interpreting a photograph no larger than 12 inches.
- The Sky is the Limit is a petite (12 inches) abstract design that includes dominant components chosen for their non-naturalist characteristics.
Botanical Arts – Design opportunities include the following and must include some plant material. (Exhibitors must pre-register to enter.)
- Galaxy is a mobile. A traditional or creative hanging design that is suspended, freely moving and incorporates plant material. The design is hung for viewing.
- Space Invaders is a “Pot et Fleur” design. The design has an emphasis on a combination of two or more flowering or foliage plants with roots growing in soil. Fresh flowers are included in the design. Other plant material may be added for embellishment.
- Rings of Saturn is a traditional or creative wreath design that includes plant material and accessories are permitted. No artificial plant material may be used.
Horticulture exhibitors do not need to pre-register. All entries will be accepted from 4:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6 and from 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 7. Exhibitors must pick up their entries at the end of the Expo at 4 p.m. on Sunday Feb. 9.
In addition to the Standard Flower Show, the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation Madison District will host a stage demonstration based on the popular TV show “Chopped” at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8 on Demo Stage A. Four Flower Show judges or designers will each simultaneously create a floral design without knowing what is in their “basket.” Designers will describe their inspiration and the audience will pick its favorite to receive the coveted Golden Pruner Award.
