THOMASVILLE — Local garden club members and gardening enthusiasts are gearing up for the 89th annual Standard Flower Show, opening Friday at the Garden Center.

Sponsored by the Thomasville Garden Clubs Inc., the design entries will feature the theme, “Through the Garden Gate.”

A standard flower show follows the entry requirements set forth by the National Garden Club, according to an event news release.

The Thomasville show features general horticulture entries, special exhibits such as a display garden, educational exhibits, designs by commercial florists, and youth horticultural entries.

“The show is a wonderful opportunity for members of the community to learn about the wide variety of plants that can be grown in Georgia and is a great chance to see some exciting floral designs,” Helen Huddleston, show chairman, said in an event news release. “All creative designs will have as their inspiration the regions and traditions of Georgia.”

Claire Lear, horticulture chairman, urged gardening enthusiasts to enter the horticulture division.

These entries will be accepted at the Garden Center 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Friday.

Entries will be accepted for the youth and the general horticulture division, and a schedule including classification and entry information is available at the Visitor’s Center, according to the news release.

A highlight of the show is the creative floral designs presented by members of the three local garden clubs, Briarcliff, Killarney Queen and Rambler Rose.

Awards are given for each division and class. The local garden clubs have a “friendly competition” for most points awarded overall.

In addition to the educational displays, the display garden and the horticulture entries, visitors can expect to see six different classes of floral designs with each category offering four competing displays.

The Creative Design section has three classes whose entries are eligible for the Designer’s Choice Award.

This section will offer interpretations featuring “Grandmother’s Garden,” “Japanese Garden-Peace & Tranquility” and “English Garden.”

In the Table Artistry Award section, the classes are “Lunch Under the Arbor,” “Dinner Under the Trees” and “Breakfast By the Reflection Pond.”

The president of Thomasville Garden Clubs Inc. is Marie Andrews, with Marge Willis and Mary Tomlinson chairing the steering committee for the show.

The show’s ribbon cutting will be preceded by a luncheon and fashion show on the center’s patio 12:30 p.m. Friday. The Thomas University Jazz Ensemble will perform for the show’s opening.

Tickets are still available for the luncheon and fashion show featuring Thomasville merchants. Cost is $15 each and tickets are available through the Visitor’s Center at 228-7977 or toll free at (866) 577-3600.

Advance reservations are required for the luncheon and fashion show.



IF YOU GO

WHAT: 89th annual Standard Flower Show

WHEN: 1:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Garden Center, 1102 S. Broad Street, Thomasville

INFO: 228-7977 or (877) 577-3600; during the event the show telephone is 225-5291