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MSU open house shows holiday plants, displays
MISSISSIPPI STATE -- The sights, scents and sounds of the holiday season will dazzle visitors during the Holiday Open House hosted by the Mississippi State University Department of Plant and Soil Sciences and The University Florist Nov. 30.
Poinsettias of 58 varieties in shades of red, pink and white, as well as a few novelty-type plants, will be on display during the open house located in the greenhouses behind Dorman Hall on Stone Boulevard. The greenhouses will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The University Florist will feature holiday decorating ideas, tree displays, merchandise and gift items from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Located on campus between the Union and the Junction, The University Florist is a full service florist operated by faculty and students in the floral management program.
The student horticulture club will be at the greenhouses from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. selling poinsettias ranging from 6-inch pots to 12-inch baskets. They also will sell Christmas cacti, amaryllises and paperwhite narcissus flowers.
The MSU student chapter of the American Institute of Floral Designers will be selling fresh evergreen wreaths and garland outside the florist shop from 8 a.m. until supplies run out.
Mengmeng Gu and Richard Harkess, from the Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, will present a talk at 9:30 a.m. at the greenhouses on “Innovative Plants for Holiday Decorating.” There is no cost to attend.
The day also will include the Christmas Floral Design Show at the M-Club from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jim DelPrince, MSU associate professor of floral design, will present a lighthearted show on home decorating ideas. Proceeds from this event will be used to send the design team to regional and national competitions. Pre-registration is required by Nov. 21 and can be done by contacting Debra Dewberry at (662) 325-2311. The $20 cost to attend includes lunch.
Lynette McDougald, floral management instructor, and winners from the National American Institute of Floral Designers Symposium student competition will offer demonstrations on the latest design styles and products from 1 to 3 p.m. at the MSU floral design studio.
Go to http://www.theuniversityflorist.com for more information on the Holiday Open House.
Writer: Courtney Coufal
