Come enjoy some southern hospitality at the “Southern Charm” Flower Show March 22 and 23 at St. Sylvester’s Catholic Church, 6464 Gulf Breeze Parkway, Gulf Breeze, Fla. Hours are Tuesday – 3 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.. The event is free, open to the public and handicap accessible.

This show is a first-ever for the District and Florida Panhandle Garden Clubs! Members are excited to showcase for the community both cut and container-grown horticulture; thematic designs featuring fresh and preserved plant material; and art to include nature photography as well as useful objects and paintings or drawings incorporating preserved flowers and foliage.

Have an aspiring gardener? The youth division will feature miniature gardens, educational displays, and floral designs showcasing the talents of our junior gardener members.

Numerous awards are offered in various divisions and sections of the show, as shown in a Flower Show Schedule governing the rules and standards to be followed. Awards are many and include an award of Horticultural Excellence, Grower’s Choice, Table Artistry, Educational, Youth Top Exhibitor, Botanical Arts, Photography, and a friendly Club Competition Award.

Divisions and sections are appropriately themed, including such titles as “Riveting Blooms,” “Fascinating Foliage,” “Delightful Shrubberies,” “Southern Lagniappe,” and “Gracious Living.”

In the design Section “Southern Sights,” designers will interpret the Falling Waters State Park, St Augustine Lighthouse, and Vulcan Park in Alabama. Visitors perusing the displays, horticultural entries, and awards have in store a most pleasurable experience, and of course a dose of “Southern Charm.”

Southern women are often called “steel magnolias” for their strength and confidence. The majestic magnolia tree symbolizes this strength and southern charm. The height and beautiful flowers demonstrate nobility, perseverance, and a love of nature, and these qualities are what this flower show promises to deliver a love of nature, flowers, and horticulture.

Under the auspices of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and presented by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., the show will be judged adhering to the guidelines established by National Garden Clubs. The show is chaired by Linda Henderson, a National Flower Show Judge and President of Dogwood Garden Club of Gulf Breeze, and Joyce Waters-Smith, a National Flower Show Judge, District 1 Director for Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., and a member of the Green Thumb Garden Club, Inc., of Walton County. The show is co-sponsored by the District Judges Council, Jenny Weber, Director and Vice President of Milton Garden Club, Inc.

Our Presenting Sponsor, “The Southern Belle,” is Ms. Stephanie Phillips, Owner and Broker of Resort Real Estate in Sandestin, a native Floridian and proud Southerner, and a resident of Sandestin. Stephanie is the essence of southern charm with her positive outlook and bright smile.

ABOUT DISTRICT 1 FLORIDA FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. was founded in 1924 with a mission to promote the love of gardening, floral and landscape design, and civic and environmental responsibility by providing education, resources and networking opportunities for our members, youth and the community.

Made up of twelve districts, District 1 covers the Florida Panhandle counties of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Walton and Okaloosa. Members Clubs are:

PACE – AZALEA GARDEN CLUB OF PACE – Margie Baldwin, President. www.facebook.com/AzaleaGardenClubofPace

DEFUNIAK SPRINGS – DEFUNIAK SPRINGS GARDEN CLUB – Marvis Stafford, President. www.facebook.com/groups/127860111332531

DESTIN – DESTIN GARDEN CLUB – Janet Hays, President.

FORT WALTON BEACH – GARNIER BEACH GARDEN CLUB – Diana Doty, President.

WALTON COUNTY – GREEN THUMB GARDEN CLUB, INC. – Lisa Ermini, President. www.greenthumbgardenclubinc.org

GULF BREEZE – DOGWOOD GARDEN CLUB – Linda Henderson, President. www.facebook.com/marty.henderson.50999

MILTON – MILTON GARDEN CLUB, INC. – Patricia Cummins, President. 5256 Alabama Street, Milton. www.facebook.com/MiltonGardenClubFL

NAVARRE – NAVARRE GARDEN CLUB – Faye Hatfield, President. www.navarregardenclub.org or www.facebook.com/Navarre-Garden-Club-265188390214701

VALPARAISO – VALPARISO GARDEN CLUB – Daquiri Champion, President. www.facebook.com/groups/ValparaisoGC

PENSACOLA – PENSACOLA FEDERATION OF GARDEN CLUBS, INC. – 10 CIRCLES – 1850 N 9th Ave, Pensacola. Sandra Sherman, President. www.PensacolaGardenCenter.com or www.facebook.com/PensacolaGardenClub

MOLINO – HONEYSUCKLE GARDEN CLUB – Ann Crawford, President .

All garden clubs are accepting new memberships and offer numerous programs and events throughout the year.