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| Melbourne International Flower and Garden Show Winners |
Who knew that February 28th was such an auspicious day? In addition to being National Floral Design Day, it’s also National Chili Day, National Chocolate Souffle Day and National Public Sleeping Day, my favorite.
Floral Design Day was created as a unique way to celebrate a special birthday of Carl Rittner, the founder of the Rittners School of Floral Design in Boston over 60 years ago. Mr. Rittner is a pioneer in floral art education, and the people at Rittners felt that the idea of a holiday that celebrates floral design as an art form is a wonderful one whose time had come. In 1995, Governor William F. Weld of Massachusetts, proclaimed this day as Floral Design Day. Carl Rittner will turn 105 this year.
Floral Design is the art of using plant materials and flowers to create a pleasing and balanced composition. Professionally designed arrangements incorporate the elements of design: line, form, space, texture, and color, and the principles of floral design: balance, proportion, rhythm, contrast, harmony, and unity.
For many of us, floral design consists of taking a pair of scissors to the garden, clipping whatever is blooming at the time, and putting the blossoms tastefully in a vase. Since we can’t do this in Colorado on February 28th, go ahead and make a pot of chili and take a nap while it’s simmering. Don’t forget the chocolate soufflé for dessert!