Education

Come Learn With Us!

The Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs sponsors the following National Garden Clubs accredited courses:

Flower Show Schools (FSS)

FSS II – 2024 Brochure March 25^th – 28^th 2024

FSS III – 2024 Brochure August 26^th – 29^th 2024

FSS IV – 2025 Brochure March 24^th – 27^th 2025

FSS 2024 Schedule

These courses are not only for prospective flower show exhibitors and judges, but also for all garden club members and all persons interested in flower design and horticulture.

Design instruction covers traditional floral arrangements through contemporary styles and even designs incorporating lights and motors. Many attendees are particularly interested in table setting designs showing coordination of floral centerpiece, linens and dishes. Vignettes, small segments of rooms, also give ideas on interior decorating.

The horticulture curriculum consists of basic general information on proper gardening techniques from seed/plant selection to plant culture and control of problems. Information is also presented on cultural needs of specific perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, as well as fruits, vegetables and nuts and how to grow superior container plants.

While the primary purpose of these courses is to train those wishing to become flower show judges, many people attend for information only and those people do not have to take the examinations!

Flower Show School is a series of four courses that covers the principles of floral design as well as fundamentals of plant life. Training is given in judging design and horticulture.  Courses may be taken in any order and may be attended by any garden club member.

After successful completion of the four courses and after passing the reading exam, a member may become an accredited judge.

VFGC & NGC Flower Show Achievement Awards

FSS is open to all. You may attend a single session or entire course.

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Plants Native to Virginia

Native Plants PDF — Native Plants doc

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Flower Show Symposium

Symposium is an in-depth three-day course on various aspects of Flower Shows. This is primarily intended for Flower Show Judges to maintain their credentials, but anyone interested in learning more about Flower Shows or Floral Arranging is very much welcome. Information offered at symposia is more advanced than that presented in the flower show schools. 

Flower Show Symposium Brochure

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Landscape Design Schools

LDS Course 1 Series 29 October 2^nd & 3^rd 2023

Hurray! The Virginia Landscape Design School is finally moving into the new National Garden Club Landscape Design Curriculum with Series 29. The new curriculum includes a segment in each course aimed specifically at redesigning home landscapes.

You may want to make modest changes to your home landscaping that do not require the services of a professional designer. Environmental awareness may mean making changes in planting choices which can make significant impacts on the ecosystems around us. VFGC Landscape Design School is a fun way of learning some “how to’s” that can help.

Come join us October 2-3 for LDS Course 1 to be held at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond. You may join us as a new student or a refreshing Consultant. You may decide to attend for just one day or for the whole course (One day attendees are not eligible for Consultant certification). Landscape Design Courses may be taken in any order – completion of 4 courses is required for consultant certification.

Landscape Design School Registration Form

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: September 15^th 2023

Check the Calendar and Publications for dates, times and locations of these and other events.