Garden club show features former White House floral designer

“Flowers of Power: Bringing the White House Style Home,” will be from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 26 at St. James Catholic Church on North Gloster Street in Tupelo. Tickets are $30 and available at Philips Garden Center, Mid-South Nursery, Reed’s Gift Shop, Jody’s Flowers and from any garden club member.

Laura Dowling served as chief floral designer at the White House from 2009 until 2015. As creative director for flowers and decor, she managed floral design for thousands of official and private events, including state dinners, parties and receptions. Her creations also graced the White House state rooms, East and West Wing offices, Camp David and the president’s private residence.

“We’re very excited to have Laura Dowling,” said Lee Pryor Caldwell, publicity co-chairman. “She’s going to show how to do floral arrangements in your home that are similar to what she did at the White House.”

Dowling is the author of three books – “Floral Diplomacy at the White House,” “A White House Christmas,” and “Wreaths.” They will all be available for purchase and signing at the event.

The spring show ticket price also includes a lunch prepared by garden club members that will feature Greek chicken pasta salad; homemade pimiento cheese finger sandwiches; a mixed green salad with feta cheese, walnuts and blackberry dressing; and chocolate bouchons for dessert.

“The other thing we’re excited about are our tablescapes,” Caldwell said. “Different groups of garden club members get together and create beautiful tables with linens, china, silver, flowers and decor.”

This year’s five tablescape themes are Giggles in the Garden, Butterfly Brunch, Pagoda for Four, Burst of Beautiful and Fall Bunch.

Proceeds from the spring show go toward Tupelo Garden Club projects, including community beautification, such as the planting of tulips downtown and landscaping at Music Bend; educational programs, such as the milkweed and Monarch butterfly release in the spring; and scholarships.

For more information, call (662) 891-7205.