Desert Designers Floral Design Group

05/13/2026

What a beautiful challenge.

04/19/2026

The "Spring Fever 2026" Flower Show, held on March 21 at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, was a vibrant celebration of botanical artistry and horticultural skill presented by the Desert Designers and Gold Canyon Garden Clubs.

04/17/2026

Spring Fever 2026: A Celebration of Blooms and Artistry

On March 21, 2026, the Smith Interpretive Center at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum was transformed into a floral wonderland. The "Spring Fever" Flower Show, a National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show, brought together a stunning array of talent, showcasing both the technical precision of horticulture and the boundless creativity of floral design. The flower show was presented by Desert Designers and Gold Canyon Garden Clubs.
With over 100 horticulture entries and three distinct design classes, the competition was fierce and the displays were breathtaking.

The Art of the Arrangement: Design Winners

The floral design division challenged exhibitors to interpret spring through various styles, from time-honored traditions to modern, interpretive works.

Class 1: “Colors of Spring” – Traditional Mass Design
This class celebrated the abundance of the season with lush, symmetrical silhouettes where the quantity of plant material creates a powerful impact.
Blue Ribbon: Micki Rustad

Class 2: “Floral Fantasy” – Line or Line Mass Design
In this class, restraint was key. Designers used strong lines to create striking silhouettes, letting the negative space speak as loudly as the blooms.
Blue Ribbon: Judy Kennedy

Class 3: “Art in Bloom” – Designer’s Choice
Perhaps the most interpretive category, "Art in Bloom" saw designers creating living responses to visual art. The creativity on display was truly next-level.
Blue Ribbon: Chris Wolff (Designer’s Choice Award Winner)

Excellence in the Soil: Horticulture Highlights
The horticulture division was a testament to the dedication of local gardeners. With over 100 entries ranging from delicate herbs to hardy cacti, the judges had their work cut out for them.
The Award of Horticultural Excellence—the show's highest honor for a horticulture exhibit—was awarded to Kelli Congero for her stunning Rosa 'Neil Diamond'. Its vibrant, variegated petals were a showstopper against the rustic stone walls of the Arboretum.

Top Horticulture Awards:
Award of Merit (Class A): Kelli Congero, Rosa 'Neil Diamond'
Award of Merit (Class B): Kelli Congero, Menthae (Apple Mint)
Award of Merit (Class C): Gary Rustad, Citrus aurantifolia (Limes)
Grower's Choice Award (Class D): Renee Waite, Herb Garden
Grower's Choice Award (Class E): Kelli Congero, Albuca spiralis (Frizzle Sizzle)
Arboreal Award (Class F): Kathie Henderson, Eucalyptus

A Growing Community
Whether it was the whimsical spiral of a "Frizzle Sizzle" plant or the calculated precision of a "Floral Fantasy" line design, "Spring Fever 2026" was a beautiful reminder of the passion within our gardening community.
A huge thank you to all the exhibitors, judges, and the staff at Boyce Thompson Arboretum for making this event such a success. We’re already looking forward to what next year’s seeds will bring!

Did you attend the show? Leave us a comment below!

04/16/2026

Our talented Desert Designer, Judy, is getting attention for her winning floral design in the 2025 Phoenix Chrysanthemum Flower Show. We are looking forward to this year's show in November.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GhTNh9AsS/

April Meeting: Date: April 19, 2026; Time: 1pm Location: Near 19 Ave/Northern, Phoenix.
Please contact us for more info if you have any questions.
Image Courtesy of: Design by Judy Kennedy: Comet. Best In Show Design Section at the Chrysanthemum Show 2025

04/10/2026

Imagination met precision in Class 2 of the "Spring Fever" Flower Show: **“Floral Fantasy.”** ✨🌿

This class focused on **Line and Line Mass Designs**, where the "line" is the star of the show. In these arrangements, designers use a restrained amount of plant material to create a dominant, striking silhouette. Some designers opted for the "Line Mass" approach, adding extra components to create incredible depth while still keeping those clean, powerful lines front and center.

It was amazing to see how four different designers interpreted the "Fantasy" theme. Using vibrant staging panels and unique materials—from sweeping curves to bold geometric shapes—they proved that sometimes, less is truly more. The way these stunning spring flowers were used to guide the eye was a masterclass in balance and rhythm. 🌸📐

Each entry felt like a window into a different dreamscape, perfectly set against the contrasting black tables at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum.

04/02/2026

Where fine art meets floral artistry! 🎨🌸

One of the most captivating sections of the "Spring Fever" Flower Show was the "Art in Bloom" Designs. In this unique category, designers were challenged to create interpretive floral arrangements inspired by specific pieces of visual art—from watercolors and photography to landscape paintings.

The results were absolutely stunning. It was fascinating to see how each designer translated the brushstrokes, colors, and textures of the artwork into a three-dimensional living sculpture. Whether it was mimicking the sharp lines of a succulent painting or capturing the elegance of a piece of jewelry, the creativity on display at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum was next-level. 🖼️✨

These exhibits perfectly demonstrated that floral design is truly an art form in its own right, requiring a keen eye for balance, rhythm, and interpretation.

03/31/2026

“Colors of Spring” Traditional Mass Design

What a spectacular weekend at the "Spring Fever" Flower Show! 🌸✨

Design Class 1 was the “Colors of Spring” Traditional Mass Design category. These arrangements truly captured the abundance of the season, showcasing the intricate balance of line and volume that defines the Traditional Mass style. 🌿🏺

From vibrant yellows and deep purples to soft pastels, it was a joy to see how each designer used a variety of blooms to create such lush, symmetrical silhouettes. Each exhibit served as a beautiful reminder of the artistry and technical skill involved in National Garden Club standards.

Thank you to everyone who visited the Boyce Thompson Arboretum to celebrate these stunning displays with us!

03/19/2026

Join us this weekend for SPRING FEVER

Desert Designers Floral Design Group & Gold Canyon Garden Club present SPRING FEVER 2026, A National Garden Club Small Standard Flower Show. Members of Desert Designers & Gold Canyon Garden Club come together to show off stunning living displays.

Open to the public – Free with Arboretum’s standard admission

Viewing Hours:
Saturday March 21st, 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sunday March 22nd, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

This flower show is held in honor of Kim Gray, Executive Director of Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Arizona’s largest and oldest botanical garden.

Plan your visit at https://btarboretum.org/.

Discover the natural beauty of Arizona at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, a stunning botanical garden located just outside of Phoenix featuring diverse flora from around the world.

03/19/2026

The flower show opens Saturday afternoon! You will be amazed by the beautiful floral designs created by the most innovative designers in the state. And that's not all. A greenhouse full of wonderful horticulture exhibits will be on display. See you there!

Discover the natural beauty of Arizona at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, a stunning botanical garden located just outside of Phoenix featuring diverse flora from around the world.

02/05/2026

Next Meeting is Friday, February 6 @ 10 AM
Address: Pyle Adult Center, Globe Room, 655 East Southern, Tempe, AZ.

Our meetings typically last about two hours and include a mix of floral design instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on creativity, along with time to visit and get to know one another. Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. [email protected]