NORRISTOWN – When you walk along a garden trail, listen. Listen closely, because you just may hear a symphony emanating from the flowers and shrubs you pass along the way.
At least, that’s what the members of the Norristown Garden Club hope for with the latest Norristown Garden Club Flower Show, set for Sept. 25, in the Fellowship Hall at the Central Schwenkfelder Church, 2111 Valley Forge Road in Lansdale.
The theme for this year’s show is “Make Mine Music,” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and is open to the public.
The theme was inspired by the quote, “The earth has music for those who listen,” from Reginald Vincent Holmes’ 1955 poem, “The Magic of Sound.”
Since its start in 1913 on Swede Street in Norristown (at the home of Berth Slingluff Harry), the Norristown Garden Club had a clear mission to promote “interest in the culture of flowers by exchanging ideas, seeds, plants and bulbs.” The very first Garden Club Flower Show was held at Norristown High School (then located at Oak and DeKalb streets). The public was invited, at no charge. That practice continues today.
According to former president Jill Evans, members of Norristown Garden Club are dedicated to carrying on the tradition and mission of their founders, and each flower show is an extension of those goals.
“The flower shows are held to develop interest, and educate our members and the viewing public in horticulture and flower design,” Evans said. “To get them excited about growing and showing. They also provide an outlet for creative expression.
“We (Norristown Garden Club) also want to communicate the goals and objectives of National Garden Clubs Inc. (our national organization). Examples of these might be pollination and use of native plants, civic and environmental responsibility, promoting the love of gardening and floral design. And no artificial, endangered, or locally invasive plant material may be used anywhere in any flower show.”
This year’s show, in particular, should be an inspiration for the participating members, Evans said.
“It provides an outlet for creative expression,” Evans said. “This year we have six classes in which flower designs will appear and one in the Botanical Arts Section titled Toe Tappin’ Music.”
Karen Nemeth, who along with Debbie Mazur chairs the event, said it takes many hands to produce a successful event. And since the pandemic prevented the club from holding a show last year, this year’s event makes up for lost time.
“Planning for a Norristown Garden Club Flower Show is always a team effort by the many talented members of our club, Nemeth said. “Lots of thought and preparation go into making this one-day event memorable. With each show, we invite the public to share in the beauty from our gardens and also to enjoy the artistic skills used in the creation of the floral and craft design entries. Having missed the opportunity for a flower show last year, we hope to have a wonderful turnout on Sept. 25.”
According to the Norristown Garden Club website, boasts more than, 200 members, and is the largest garden club in the state. In addition to presentations at regular meetings, the club conducts workshops in horticulture and floral design for members and hands-on programs for school groups.
For more information about the Norristown Garden Club, including how to become a member and information on educational scholarships the club offers, visit the website at https://norristowngardenclub.org.
