Basic Design II   "At Home With Flowers"

Pot-Et-Fleur Designs     class notes           Print PDF Document

 
A Creative Design consisting of a combination of two or more rooted plants, growing in soil or other medium, cut plant material and other optional components in a container/s.    All components are to be artistically arranged together as a design and are to be judged by the Design Scale of Points.  They are not to be organized as a landscape or a combination planting (dish garden, planter, or terrarium).

Growing plants are to be emphasized and may be of the same or different varieties.  If varied, they should be chosen for pleasing variations in color, texture and leaf form.
a. Plants may be all foliage, all flowering, or a combination.
b. Plants may be kept in their pots, [laced in small plastic bags with soil, or planted in a potting medium.
c. All plants must have compatible growth requirements as this is a semi-permanent design. However, there is no minimum time that plants must have been growing together.

Flowering plants and/or cut fresh flowers must be included.  Any other plant material may be added for embellishment, e.g., fruits, vegetables, nuts, leaves, and/or branches.  Fresh materials needing water may be inserted in small bottles, floral tubes, or floral foam and hidden among the plants.

Branches, with or without attached foliage, and/or decorative wood, may be used for a dominant line direction if in keeping with the class requirements and Top Exhibitor Award being offered.

Container/s must be sturdy, large enough to hold all materials and deep enough for roots to be below contain rim for watering.  Yet, containers should not imply "dish garden" or "planter", but rather "design". They may be ceramic, basket, plastic, etc., with lining when necessary.

Moss and other dressings may be used to cover planting medium or plastic bags, but their use should never result in the appearance of a "landscape".

Pot-Et-Fleur Designs are not suitable in a section offering the Designer's Choice Award since the design type makes specific plant material demands on the exhibitor.

SUGGESTIONS:

1. This is not a permanent arrangement since plants will grow and outgrow space. Cut flowers will fade and need replacing.

2. The elements of design are the compelling force in organizing the design.

3. The principles of design are the guidelines that make this design a visual art form.

Principles of Design
Balance
Rhythm
Dominance
Contrast
Proportion
Scale

Elements of Design
Line
Color
Light
Texture
Pattern
Form
Size
Space

 

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