LADYBUG SAYS...FALL FLORAL OLYMPICS WILL HELP ROSE GARDEN

It is again autumn and time for the fall flower show given each year by The Council of Garden Clubs of Cape Girardeau. This show, Fall Floral Olympics, bears the insignia of the Olympics, the well known five continuous circles.

The Family Life Center of Centenary Methodist Church, 300 North Ellis Street, where 177 countries participated. The flower shows artistic designs class includes some of those countries; native trends and customs, such as High Tea, whose setting would be in England. Another is Brazil, where a creative design of all green plant material will suggest a rain forest.

From Japan they have chosen a design using all fresh plant materials. There will be a functional table setting depicting a Bistro in France. Also, an exhibition table incorporating a reflective design capturing the music of Mozart and the crystal treasures of Austria.

The designer has a choice of plant material for a table representing Spain. A sculptural form, staged on the floor with dried materials will represent a safari in Kenya. A creative framed spatial design staged on a banquet table will represent Trinidad and Tabago, and Bring Home the Gold! is the theme chosen for the U.S.A.

There is a novice class, which is open to those who have never won a blue ribon. It is to represent the Country of Sweden.

In the horticultural division, entries must be botanically named, grown by the exhibitor for three months, exhibited in a clear glass bottle, and pre-registered by October 15.

With the wonderful growing season we have had this year, and the abundant rainfall, we can expect the horticultural exhibit will also be outstanding.

In the annual class, there will be marigolds, a single branch, standard and dwarf; zinnias, 3 blooms and any other. In the perennial class are chrysanthemums, one bloom or spray, single, semi-double, or anemone; spoon, spider or quill; cushion; exhibition type four inches or larger, which has been disbudded.

The roses include hybrid teas, polyantha, floribunda, grandiflora and climbing. In the Arboreal class, broadleaf evergreens include ilex (holly), pyracantha, nandina, mahonia and any other. In the needled class are taxus (yew), pinus (pine) picea (spruce) juniperus (juniper) and any other.

Decorative branches may be leaved, fruited, coned or berried.

There is a 10-inch maximum for containers in the plant division, which includes blooming, fruited, foliage, vining, cacti, succulent, and African violets both single and double. Any plant propagated by the exhibitor from seed, cutting or root may be entered.

A special division is for juniors 15 or under in the artistic division, representing the Netherlands. This design in a shoe must use the designers own choice of plant material and be staged on a fourth of a round table. Class 1 is for 10 and younger and Class 2 for 11 through 15.

There will be an educational exhibit representing the Rain Forest and another on bulbs.

The standard system of awarding will be in accordance with the National Council's Handbook for Flower Shows with blue, red, yellow and white ribbons given in each class if merited.

Mrs. Charleen Back and Mrs. Ron Wikel are general chairmen of the show. They have said that entries are open to all amateur gardeners and arrangers. Some of the classes must be pre-registered, and all entries must be in place by 9:30 the morning of the show.

Schedules for the show may be obtained from any of the Show committee; which includes Mrs. Barry Davis, Mrs. Morris Osborn, Mrs. Tim Rademaker, Mrs. Byron Foust, Mrs. Bob Levy, Mrs. Kent Hoffmeister, Mrs. Don Koehler, Mrs. Terry McDowell, Mrs. J. Ronald Fischer, Mrs. Willis Seagraves, Mrs. H.L. Ennis, Mrs. Charles Westrich, Mrs. Timothy Dodd, Mrs. Jim Garner, Mrs. Ed Crites, Mrs. Jeff Crites, Mrs. Roger Howell and Mrs. Virgil Churnside.

The Cape Girardeau Council of Garden Clubs of Cape Girardeau is made up of the Cape Girardeau Garden Club, Ramblewood Garden Club, Four Season Garden Club, River Hills Garden Club, Rose Hills Garden Club and Green Thumb Junior Garden Club. The Council was organized and federated in 1955 and presently has 122 members.

Support the maintenance of the Rose Display Garden by attending the Fall Floral Olympics on Saturday. A donation of one dollar is asked but more would be appreciated. If you cannot attend, The Council of Garden Clubs would appreciate any donation toward this worthy cause.