Have you ever entered an artistic design or floral arrangement at the

Have you ever entered an artistic design or floral arrangement at the Shelby County
Fair Flower Show? If not—or even if you have—here are some pointers on the
categories in this year’s Show. The definitions of each design type are not all inclusive,
but they do give you an idea of what the judges will look for when they critique entries.
The photos come from a variety of sources and may provide you with inspiration to try
something you’ve never done before. Don’t try to copy them exactly. Instead, use
them to gain a better understanding of how imagination and creativity can be turned
into floral works of art.
#1 USING PRIMARILY DRIED MATERIALS – Dried plant materials can come from the flower, leaf, or stem portions of
a plant. Materials also include pine cones, seeds, cattails, wood, seed pods, or virtually any forms of plants that
were once live. They can be painted or dyed. The color of the container should also be repeated somewhere in the
plant material. Use dry foam to hold these materials in place.
REFLECTIVE DESIGN - a creative design that contains some components to involve the viewer through the use of
reflection. It is NOT a design placed in front of a mirror. The viewer must be able to see him/herself in at least one
portion of the design itself. Bright and shiny objects are important in this design. Because plant material is not
reflective, the reflection must come from the container or incorporated materials. Shiny containers made of metal,
Mylar, mirrors, brass, silver, or gleaming black can be used; or convex or concave items, Mylar pieces, Christmas
ornaments, and small mirrors placed into the design.
USING A KITCHEN ITEM(S) IN THE DESIGN – Here’s a great opportunity to be very creative. If only one kitchen item
is used, it should really stand out and be hard to miss. Other than that, the basic elements of good design should be
applied, but there are no hard and fast rules.
SMALL DESIGN – Make sure to use a ruler to measure the design after it has been completed. Judges will rule out an
arrangement in this class that exceeds 12 inches in any direction.
SPIRAL DESIGN – A spiral design is a creative arrangement with a spiral coming down and around a strong vertical
axis and anchored into a container. The plant material should not protrude beyond the width or height of the spiral.
Flowers and foliage are kept low inside the spiral. The container should be vertical to establish the line of the
design. Spirals can be man-made or made of plant material. Some designers have used copper tubing, drip hose
with stiff wire inside, and thick braided wire.
BLUE FLOWERS OR BLUE MATERIALS – True blue flowers are often hard to find, so painted, dried material can be
used. The container can also be blue, but there must be blue material in the
design itself as well. Fresh flowers and foliage can never be painted or dyed.
HORIZONTAL DESIGN - A horizontal arrangement is a low arrangement but the length is at least 2 times the height. A
classic or traditional horizontal arrangement is symmetrical, which means the length on both sides is the same.
Moreover, the placement of flowers is mirrored to the other side. Think of a floral arrangement on a dining room
table. It is low enough so that conversation is not obstructed. An asymmetrical horizontal arrangement is more
modern in character because the flowers have their own individuality. It does not have to rest on the table, but can
be elevated like the second photo below. The design with the yellow flowers would be an asymmetrical horizontal
design.
DESIGN SHOWING MOTION – A creative design in which materials look as though they’ve been moving or could
move if a slight breeze were to occur.
SIMPLE OR ORIENTAL DESIGN – The simpler and more elegant, the better. Choose one flower and complementary
foliage to balance the design. More than one type of foliage can be used.
USING ROSES – Traditional or creative design in which one or more roses take center stage.
VERTICAL DESIGN – The container is usually rather narrow, emphasizing the vertical line of the design. The flowers
and foliage should be at least 1-1/2 to 2 times the height of the container, but the entire design, including the
container, should be no taller than 36 inches. Most of the flowers and foliage should be no wider than the
container. The overall effect should be tall and narrow, not wide or bushy. The base of the container should be the
widest part of the design.
USING RED MATERIALS/FLOWERS – A traditional or creative design in which red is the dominant color. The
container doesn’t have to be red, but the color red should really stand out in the flowers and/or materials used.
The Designer’s Choice category in the Adult Artistic Design class should reflect the title, “Philadelphia
Freedom,” so give some thought to what kinds of materials to use. The Junior Designer’s Choice title is “Roar.”
Again, think about how that might be expressed using flowers, foliage, and accessories.