The Pasadena Garden Club will honor Pasadena’s many institutions with a two-day display of innovative floral design at its 2007 flower arrangement and horticultural competition. Themed “Treasures of Pasadena,” the show will be open to public viewing on Saturday, April 21 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 22 from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at The Huntington Library, Art Collection, and Botanical Gardens, in the Botanical Center. Entry is included with Huntington ticket admission.

With more than 100 entries, the competition provides a unique opportunity for audiences to see the creative artistry and best gardening practices involved in flower arranging and horticultural display. The show will also include classes in photography and jewelry design. Organizations chosen to inspire submissions include the Art Center College of Design, the Colorado Street Bridge, the Pacific Asia Museum, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Pasadena Public Library, the Rose Bowl, The Huntington Library, the Norton Simon Museum, the Tournament of Roses, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Pasadena City Hall, among others. 

“Pasadena has such a wealth of institutions, we don’t have enough competition classes to cover them all,” says Pat Bedford and Petrie Wilson, co-chairs of the event. “By singling out these, and asking our exhibitors to interpret the beauty of their physical locations in this innovative way, we are honoring all the beauty and diversity that Pasadena offers.”

Because a primary mission of the Garden Club is to promote education and conservation, an exhibit on the Arroyo Seco, its history, and its role in conservation, will be prominently featured. Bedford adds, “While the flower show is certainly a visual delight, it is first and foremost an educational tool.  It’s a wonderful way to learn about horticulture and the art of flower arranging, and it carries a message about conservation as well.”

Competitive classes are open to members of the Pasadena Garden Club, members of the Garden Club of America, and invited guests whose principal source of income is not derived from the flower industry.

The Pasadena Garden Club, founded in 1916, is a member of The Garden Club of America. With more than 100 members, it strives to stimulate knowledge and love of gardens and gardening.The Garden Club of America is a national organization that promotes conservation.

For information, the public can call: 626/405-2100.

HUNTINGTON VISITOR INFORMATION:  Huntington hours: Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission: $15 adults, $12 seniors, $10 students (ages 12-18), $6 youth (ages 5-11), free for children under 5. Group rate: $11 per person for groups of 15 or more. Members are admitted free. Information: (626) 405-2100, or visit online at www.huntington.org. The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is a collections-based research and educational institution serving scholars and the general public. More information can be found on the Web at www.huntington.org.