The Council of Garden Clubs of Cape Girardeau will hold a spring flower show from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Family Life Center at Centenary United Methodist Church, 300 N. Ellis St.

There will be four divisions including artistic design, horticulture, junior and special exhibits.

The standard flower show emphasizes well-groomed, well-grown and correctly named fresh plant material grown by the exhibitor for at least 90 days.

Specific requirements

The theme, "A Child's Garden of Verses," sets specific requirements for nine arrangement entries based on classic children's stories. For instance, the Thumbelina entry must be no larger than eight inches in any dimension with plant material and all other components in small scale. But that doesn't top the Thom Thumb junior division entry with restrictions of five inches in any dimension.

A challenge for even the most artistically gifted, the Brementown Musician entry must tell the story using plant material and objects to represent rhythm.

Entries are open to all individuals interested in growing and arranging flowers for pleasure.

Four Seasons Garden Club president Edna Ruth Fisher, a member since 1961, said the shows have taken place since the 1950s when seven area garden clubs existed. Proceeds from the show benefit the Rose Garden at Capaha Park.

The Council of Garden Clubs is comprised of the Four Season Garden Club, Ramblewood Garden Club and Rose Hills Garden Club, with a total membership of 64 gardeners. Each club will be represented at the show.

The council was organized in 1955 and federated in 1956. Objectives include stimulating a knowledge and love of gardening among amateurs; to aid in the protection of nature, trees, plants and birds and to encourage planting, working toward the beauty of Cape Girardeau.

Individuals interested in membership in any of the garden clubs may call Margaret Lents at 335-3048.