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Our Floral Art classes are a great opportunity to show off or develop your display skills and create some lovely arrangements for visitors to enjoy. As well as the more challenging Championship classes, we also have classes for novices where you can try out your skills.
While fashions in floral art may change considerably, “beauty of form and colour, lightness of arrangement, happy harmonies or suitable contrasts always meet with general approval” (RHS).
The KEHS Show Rules for Floral Art specify that an exhibit is composed of natural plant material, either fresh or dried and with or without accessories. Oasis may be used. You do not need to have grown the material used. You can create the exhibit at home or in the hall.
Check the schedule for any key criteria such as the size of the exhibit or whether it should be shown in a particular format such as a niche.
Also, consider how to interpret the theme and the opportunities it gives you to be creative.
Your display should generally be created with a “best-side” in mind which should face the front of the bench. However, some arrangements will specify that they should be created for “all-round” effect.
The judge will award points based on the system used by the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS).
The judge will often make constructive comments on your card to help you develop your skills for future displays.
FLORAL ART CHAMPIONSHIP CLASSES
Harvest Basket
This class may include fruit, vegetables and seeds - spot the vegetables!
Spring
Spring
Coronation
Floral Dance
Spring Time
Spring Time
In the Rose Garden
Autumn in a Basket
Here a gingerbread man has been added as accessories are permitted.
An Arrangement Using Three Flowers and Foliage
Bringing in the Harvest
Olympics
Summer Carnival
Championship Classes
Check the information about the size and nature of the display. They are normally large displays which need to fit within a niche measuring 600mm x 600mm x 750mm (provided by the Society). No material should touch the sides of the niche – we suggest leaving 25mm on each side.
This class has a changing theme which is often seasonal, for example “Spring Time” or “Harvest Basket”. The theme may also be topical such as “Coronation” or “Olympics”.
The specification for some titles such as “Harvest Basket” may also state that the exhibit can include fruit, vegetables and seeds.
The Floral Art Show Rules regarding accessories allow you to add interesting elements to your display.
PETITE, MINIATURE AND OTHER FLORAL ART CLASSES
Cup and Saucer Arrangement
It can be challenging finding suitable small leaves and foliage for these classes.
Class 163 - Joys of Autumn
A petite arrangement in a basket
Spring Time Petite Arrangement
Ladies Buttonhole
Autum in a Basklet
Autum in a Basklet
The addition of other materials such as fruit and vegetables may be permitted in some classes
Class 52 - Arrangement in a Wine Glass
Arrangement in a Wine Glass
The judge will often add helpful notes to the exhibits
Petite Floral Art
Class 93 Tea Party
Other Classes including Petite and Miniature Arrangements
Petite and miniature arrangement will also have size criteria laid down in the schedule:
- a petite arrangement should have a maximum of 250mm x 250mm x 250mm.
- a miniature arrangement should not exceed 100mm x 100mm x 100mm (NAFAS)
As a guide, miniature and petite designs should seem like large arrangements on a tiny scale. Look out for flowers and foliage small enough to do the job.
The criteria will state whether a receptacle such as a teacup and saucer or a basket is required as an essential element of the display. Aides such as baskets should be in proportion to the arrangement and not dominate the plant material.
The criteria may also say whether the arrangement should be for all round effect.
You should show that you have tried to interpret the theme which could be, for example, “Spring in Miniature” or “A Table Arrangement for Easter”. Themes can also be quite general such as “Little Treasures” which offers lots of options for your own interpretation.
You may also find classes for other small arrangements such as a buttonhole.
If you are new to exhibiting look out for the Novice Floral Art classes. There may be, for example, a novice class incorporating a teacup and saucer or a themed class such as “Joys of Autumn”. These are a great way to try your hand at something new.
Tips from Exhibitors
Make sure you have read and understood the schedule, including the size spec.
Consider how best you can interpret the title of the class, working with the colour and space allowed and not using too many accessories.
Get the mechanics or basics right such as conditioning the flowers and foliage (eg trimming the stems correctly so that they don’t wilt).