Know the Principles of Design...
Rare and endangered plants, many of which are Virginia Native Plants, need protection.
These plants may be used in flower shows only as follows:
- In educational exhibits, if nursery or garden grown. Such plants must be rooted and labeled.
- ALL plants may be used in artistic design, horticultural classes, or any other class not specified as education, only
if grown by the exhibitor and must be labeled to this effect.
Balance
Balance results in placing equal weight on opposite sides of an imaginary central axis. The axis is always vertical because
balance is related to the force of gravity. Balance should be evident when viewed from all sides.
Symmetrical balance is attained by having the two sides as nearly alike as possible.
Asymmetrical balance has greater aesthetic appeal than symmetrical balance. Visual weight may differ from actual weight. There
is no rule for achieving this balance.
Proportion
Good proportion is the pleasing variation of one form, part, or color to another or to the whole.
Scale
Scale is closely related to proportion. It is a minor principle because it applies only to one element, the element of
size.
Rhythm
Rhythm is a dominant visual path through the design and may be achieved by the use of repetition or gradation in a linear
direction.
Too much repetition is monotonous, so it should be modified, such as the use of pink for a repetition of red, or a grouping of
small round forms for a repetition of a large round, etc.
Gradation is a sequence in which adjoining parts are similar or harmonious. It implies gradual change in size, from large
to small; in weight from heavy to light; in texture from course to fine; in color from dark to light; etc.
Rhythm makes a design appear to be alive, rather than static.
Dominance
Dominance is the greater force of one kind of element, such as more curved lines, more round forms, or more of one hue.
Thus, dominance implies subordination. Subordinate interest can be provided by similar but weaker material or by contrasting
material.
Contrast
Contrast means difference and is achieved by placing opposite or unlike elements together - elements that are related in some
manner. Examples - long and short, light and dark, smooth and rough. The amount of contrast should stimulate interest. Too
much or too many contrasts result in confusion.
Accessories
When reviewing the guidelines given for a show, make certain to note if an accessory may be used, or if something is to be
featured. If it is to be featured, it must be the dominant or prominent part of the design. If used as an accessory,
it is secondary and is used to carry out the theme.
Horticulture
One stalk or stem or bloom is exhibited unless, or course, it is a spray of some type - such as azalea or chrysanthemum - but
it would still have just one central stem or stalk.
The stem must always be in water. It is also suggested that horticulture stems be cut on a slant.
Specimens should not be dirty or have spray residue. Damage by weather can be tolerated much more than poor grooming. Badly
groomed specimens seem to be one of the major faults when exhibiting. We must all learn to groom and condition our horticulture
before exhibiting.
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