PANAMA CITY — Sandra McQuagge entered the Panama City Garden Club’s Fall Flower Show for the first time in 1972.
“It’s been something we’ve been doing for years,” she said.
McQuagge, this year’s flower show chairwoman, entered a few blue ribbon-winning cuttings herself.
The show’s theme — “Surprise!” — was shown in arrangements representing birthday parties, travel and days at the beach. One category required artists to interpret a day at the zoo in their arrangements. Some arrangements were more sophisticated, while others interpreted the theme in fun and colorful ways.
McQuagge said judges look for symmetry, health and a little something special in entries.
“We judge against the standard, not against each other,” she said.
She picked up a flower cutting for an example and pointed out its symmetry and healthy-looking leaves.
“This little dahlia — it’s healthy, its stem is green and straight, it’s almost a perfect circle when you look at it,” she said.
Another cutting received bonus points from the judges for its unusual coloring.
Artists also receive points based on how much they know about their plants and are required to provide both the scientific and common names of their entries.
“When you learn to design, you learn how to take the balance and the rhythm and all that and you transfer it to putting things together — your wardrobe, decorating you home, doing your landscape,” said Jane Brewer, a garden club member and entrant. “It’s an art form.”
The show will be on display at the Central Panhandle Fair this week.