Floral Design the NGC Way: Artistry Guided by Elements and Principles

National Garden Clubs (NGC) teaches floral design as a disciplined art form, distinct from commercial arrangements. The NGC definition: "The art of organizing the Elements of Design (line, form, color, texture, pattern, size, space, light) found in plant materials and optional components according to the Principles of Design (balance, contrast, dominance, proportion, scale, rhythm) to attain the Attributes of Design (beauty, harmony, distinction, expression)." Mastering this framework offers a lifetime of creative pursuit.

Elements and Principles: The Cake Analogy

Think of elements as ingredients (flour, sugar, chocolate) and principles as the recipe and decorating technique. A box-mix cake in a vase is like a grocery-store bouquet—functional but not artistic. A competition cake, like an NGC design, balances proportion, scale, contrast, and rhythm to guide the viewer's eye smoothly through the whole. The same principles govern painting, floral design, and all visual arts.

NGC Floral Design Education

NGC offers structured curricula through state federations (e.g., Florida Federation of Garden Clubs' nine-unit Floral Design Studies) and national courses. Students progress from basics to advanced design under qualified instructors.

Standard Flower Shows: Where Learning Blossoms

After coursework, designers enter NGC-sponsored Standard Flower Shows. Planning and executing competitive designs over days provides the real-world practice that hones skill. The hobby offers endless challenge, pleasure, and fulfillment—accessible to anyone willing to learn.

Reference: Handbook for Flower Shows, Revised 2007, National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Credits: Thumbnail by author; designs by Carole Martin, Janice Hamlin, and author.