Evening star., 1947-04-20
Flower Show Designed Solely for Pleasure
OfVeterons Planned AtW WuIterReedN NextWeek
specioI z-Doy Event
Sponsored by Members
OLA Gurden Clubs

Two years ago. a group OF WASH
ington garden lovers wondered what
they could do to help veterans in
hospitals-something more than
sending flowers to bedsides on
special occasions.
They developed an idea that
reaches it's climax this week when
members of "a garden clubs stage q
special flower show in the Red Cross
solarium Of Walter Reed Hospital.
The show is special for several
reasons. Every club will do its best
but there will be no judges, no rules,
no competition. Flower arranging
is a highly competitive art, but
this time the clubs will compete
only in the amount of pleasure they
can give the patients.
Instead of adhering to the strict
rules of exhibitions, the clubs will
present whatever flowers they
choose in whatever containers make
the most attractive appearance.
Cards Will Identify Flowers.
Just so the patients will recognize
the flowers displayed before them.
cards identifying all the flowers
in each arrangement will be there
for them to read.
The germ of the idea that
flower show might bring pleasant
thoughts of home and brighten up
the long hospital stay originated
with Mrs. Herbert Greger, an
authority on flower arranging and
member of the TroWel Club.
The idea crystalized short time
later when Mrs. Dion Birney, also
a member of the Trowel Club, held
a meeting at which the late Edward
B. Rowan was the principal speaker,
Mr.. Rowan, who was chief of the
fine arts section of the Public Build
ings Administration and director of
art work in the military hospitals
here, told of an experience he had
while veterans were still being hos
pitalized at st. Elizabeths.
Flowers Aid Recovery.
He told of a patient who had been
completely apathetic for some time,
taking no interest in himself or any
one else. For some reason, the boy
one day started asking for flowers.
Mr.. Rowan brought him some OF
the most fragrant flowers he could
find-freezia and carnations.
When the boy saw them, he made
his first voluntary movements
reaching out his hand for the flow-
ers and trying to lift his head to
see them better. The flowers were
left at his bedside and that day
started him on the road to recovery
With that story to go on, the
Trowel Club decided to give flower
show at st. Elizabeths. -Four other
clubs were asked to help-Wesley
Heights, Georgetown, Washington
and Chevy Chase, D. c., Garden
Clubs. The first show was held on
Sunday afternoon in April, 1945.
The patients loved it, Mrs. Greger
recalls. They pointed out to each
other flowers that grew in their own
backyards at home.
Two other flower shows at the hos
pital followed. Because of their sue
cess. the Trowel Club decided to give.
other hospitalized veterans the same
opportunity to see the flowers they
loved. Other clubs were called and
plans were made for "a clubs to
submit five arrangements each for
a show at Walter Reed.
Show to Last Tive Days.
The show will last two days
Wednesday and Thursday, from noon
to $50 pm. In order to be certain
that the patients all have chance
to see the show, only patients, their
friends and relatives and garden
club members will be admitted.
After the show is over, the flowers
will be distributed throughout the
hospital.
Clubs participat ating in the project
include Trowel, Chevy Chase, D. c.;
Chevy Chase, Md; Wesley Heights,