The Edison Ford Winter Estate received a grant through Keep Lee County Beautiful (KLCB) to replace shrubs and trees along the historic Ford property line that were lost due to Hurricane Ian’s winds and storm surge. Planting the trees will begin on July 8.

Florida native trees Gumbo Limbo (Bursera simaruba), Satin Leaf (Chrysophyllum oliviforme), Dahoon Holly (Ilex cassine, var. ‘Nativa’), and Walter’s Viburnum (Viburnum obovatum) are being provided by local nurseries Duke Farms and J&C Nursery. The Rotary Club of Fort Myers South is providing volunteers to help with digging and planting.

click to return to home page

click here to return to home page

VOLUNTEERS FOR FLOWER SHOW NEEDED — HORTICULTURE

As you know, on February 24 and 25, GCGC is having a small standard flower show, and we need volunteers. Listed below is information on the times, number of volunteers needed, and types of jobs.

Thursday 2/23/23 11:00 – 2:00 We need 3 more people to help set up exhibit tables with tablecloths and section cards ready to go. Generally be ready to accept entries from noon to 5:00.

Thursday 2/23/23 2:00 – 5:00 Five more volunteers needed. This is when we will be in the midst of accepting entries and getting them ready for placement. So we will need checkers, placers, someone to help with classifying of plants (checking that entry cards are properly completed and plant is worthy to be shown and ready to place).

Friday 2/24/23 9:00 – 10:30 Two more volunteers needed for last minute checking of plants, placement, etc. Entries will also be accepted. NO ENTRIES WILL BE ACCEPTED AFTER 10:30 since we will be getting ready for judges to arrive.

Saturday 2/25/23 3:30 – 4:30 Two more volunteers for clean up.

Members will: Do self classifying of their entries before arriving to library, cleaning plants of dead leaves and insects. Generally making sure plants are ready to be judged. Last minute adjusting can be done at a table outside the building. Once a plant is fussed over it will be passed to a final checker, then a placer.

Please bring your own clear glass vase as none will be available at the library. Entry cards should be filled out as completely as possible using pencil. Bring any supplies you think you’ll need. There will be clippers, scissors, pencils, ruler, plastic wrap, tape, extra entry cards available.

There will be a table for readying plants, a table for classifiers, and a placement table. All work will be done outside to the left of the entrance.

All entries MUST be removed between 3:00 and 4:00 on Saturday.

Please refer to flower show schedule. It can be found on our page gulfcoastgardenclub.org. It will answer all your questions.

Rosemary DiLorenzo
Capp Morris
Reggie Wilson

click here to return to home page

Click here for pdf of the Flower Show Pamphlet

click here to return to home page

DIVISION II – DESIGN RULES

1. The Design classes are limited to four entries, except Petites, which are six entries.  Exhibitors may enter only one exhibit in each class but may enter as many classes as desired.
2. Entries MUST be pre-registered with Patricia Townsend by January 15, 2023.
3. Designs MUST be the work of one exhibitor.
4. All Designs MUST contain some fresh plant material.
5. The following ARE NOT permitted:  Artificial plant material, the treating of fresh plant materials in any manner; cut fruit/vegetable or prepared foods; or natural bird’s nests; or insects, fish, birds, or animals; landscapes or scenes; or national flags.
6. The following ARE permitted: treated or dried plant materials; plant material need not to be grown by exhibitor; boxed, canned, and packaged food are permitted.
7. Plant material MUST be names on a 3” x 5” card and on an entry card.  A brief explanation of the design may be included.
8. Designs are to be the first time entered or judged in an NGC Flower Show.
9. Judges are requested to provide comments on all exhibits.
10. The scale of points for design is listed in the Handbook for Flower Shows, Chapter 14.
11. One Best in Show award will be offered in the Design Division, Section A. 
12. The exhibitor is required to conform to the stated description and limitations of the design type, if named.  The rules are stated in the Handbook for Flower Shows, Chapter 7.
13. Exhibits will be accepted NOON to 5PM, Thursday, February 23, 2023, and 9AM to 10:30AM Friday, February 24, 2023.
14. Judging will commence at 11AM Friday, February 24, 2023.
15. All entries must be removed between 3PM – 4PM on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
16. The decision of the judges is final.

click here to return to home page

DIVISION I:  HORTICULTURE RULES
South Florida Gardening, by Chase Landre

1. Entries must be grown by exhibitor. Plants musty have been in the exhibitor’s possession for at least 90 days.
2. Entries must be pre-registered with Dale DeFeo.
3. Containers to be no more than size as specified by schedule in inches in any diameter.
4. Double potting is permitted within the size as specified in the schedule inch limit.  Only one specimen to a container. Natural multiplication from a single root system will be considered a single specimen.
5. More than one entry per class made by an exhibitor provided each is a different cultivar, type, form, or color.
6. All specimens must be clean and free of disease and insects.  Any plant having these faults will be removed by the classification committee.
7. Entries must be labeled with the correct botanical name (genus & species, variety, and cultivar, when possible) the common name is recommended.
8. A cut specimen must be displayed in a clear glass container appropriate to the size of the specimen and provided by the exhibitor or committee with a maximum length of 30’”.  Clear wedging is permitting.
9. The committee reserves the right to combine or divide classes.
10. The scales of points for horticulture are in chapter 14 of the handbook for flower shows.
11. A plant considered as a flowering plant, should be exhibited as a flowering plant.  Foliage plants may flower but should be exhibited as foliage plants.
12. Plants specified as in a class designation in the schedule may not be entered in any other worthy class.

click here to return to home page

1. The handbook for Flower Shows, 2017 Edition and updates, shall be used as authority.
2. The SCHEDULE is the law of the show.
3. The National Garden Clubs, Standard System of Awarding will be used.
4. All Horticultural and Design entries MUST be preregistered.
5. Only Gulf Coast Garden Club members may enter the show.
6. Neither the Lee County Library, the Bonita Springs Library, or the Gulf Coast Garden Club will be responsible for damage or loss of property.
7. All entries must be approved by the Classification committees.  Entries not conforming to the SCHEDULE requirements or not of show quality will be refused by the committee.
8. Entries will be accepted NOON to 5PM, Thursday, February 23, 2023, and 9AM to 10:30AM Friday, February 24, 2023.
9. Judging will commence 11AM Friday, February 24, 2023.
10. All entries must be removed between 3PM – 4PM on Saturday, February 25, 2023.
11. The decision of the judges is final.
12. There must be an emphasis on fresh plant material.  No artificial plant material is permitted in any exhibit in any division.
13. Plants listed on the FLORIDA EXOTIC INVASIVE PLANT list are prohibited in the show.  List is available at HTTP/FRESH from Florida plants. 
14. Classification chairman will check exhibits for conformity to the SCHEDULE.
15. General Chairman, Classification Chairman, Judges and Clerks are the only personal allowed on the floor during judging.

click here to return to home page

Division III – Educational Exhibits – The Well-Educated Mind, Susan Wise Bauer

Exhibits:

1. Membership, Gulf Coast Garden Club, Please Join Us, Catherine McKenzie

• Blue Star Memorial, Veteran Voices, Robert H Miller and Andrew Wake Ford

The Displays are not to be judged:

1. They are to inform the public about goals and objectives about the National Council Clubs.

• They are to promote civic educational services and beautification, and to encourage improvements of roadsides and parks.

Requirements:

Displayed on a trifold 36”x 24” table supplied by committee, placed on a table size 6’X24” covered with ivory cloth.

click here to return to home page

click here to return to home page