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By J.C. Amodea
Naples Garden Club (NGC) and Naples Botanical Garden (NBG) are partnering in presenting the 2020 Naples Flower Show, the largest juried flower show in Southwest Florida. The two-day event will be held on March 20 and 21 from 9am to 5pm at the NBG.
The annual flower show made its debut in 1953, and ever since, it has drawn the area’s vegetal aficionados to the event. In 2019, some 6,000 attendees enjoyed the wide variety of all things botanical.
About Naples’ 2020 flower show
The 2020 theme is “Vision 2020: Past, Present, Future,” where inspiration will be drawn from what nature has provided, what innovation does today and what imagination can do with its organic materials mixed with creativity. Guests will view spectacular floral designs, exotic plants, educational exhibits, presentations and interactive demonstrations. A variety of vendors offering horticulture for sale as well as other related items will be on hand, along with the Naples Botanical Garden’s Gift Shop.
According to Paulette Galliker, NGC communications chair, there are five divisions in the fun event. “The horticulture division, with over 350 entrants, show hundreds of specimens, cut or in pods. The design division, with 56 entrants in three classes includes paintings, as well as a myriad of design displays. Division three, education, features four educational exhibits: Florida panthers, a living legacy, succulents and their divine design diversity, growing careers in horticulture and Audubon’s Corkscrew Swamp sanctuary,” Galliker explained. “Division four, Youth Group, showcases work from Avalon School students, focusing on seeds to sprouts. Division five interprets the botanical arts with 28 exhibit entrants. Included are photography and arts and crafts, like wearable apparel and accessories, such as a Victorian broach made from pumpkin seeds, a pendant made from half of a macadamia nut, and a modern gardening hat.”
Nine panels of four out-of-state judges will oversee the different areas. Awards will be presented to the division winners in horticulture, design, educational and botanical arts. Local awards of appreciation will be presented to all participants in the youth division and to others. A special section of the Botanical Gardens includes the NGC’s Idea Garden, sponsored and cared for by NGC, where exhibits will be on display, and where you can pick up tips on how to fix orchids and do espalier (the horticultural and ancient agricultural practice of controlling woody plant growth). The Idea Garden is “a place for garden lovers to gather and share innovative planting ideas and be inspired to grow plants, flowers, and vegetables in imaginative ways.”
According to NGC.org, their mission “to provide opportunities for sharing and learning about horticulture, floral design and the environment in a congenial, supportive atmosphere.” The club is proud to partner with Naples Botanical Garden to provide the local community “with opportunities for learning and sharing” through events like the prestigious Naples Flower Show. Tickets can be purchased at https://tickets.naplesgarden.org. For more information, visit their website at www.naplesgardenclub.org. Visit, and be inspired.
