Margot Shaw wrote “Living Floral: Entertaining and Decorating with Flowers”

When it comes to finding creative ways to incorporate flowers and floral design into every aspect of one’s life, no one beats Margot Shaw.

Shaw is the editor of FLOWER Magazine and author of “Living Floral: Entertaining and Decorating with Flowers.” She will share her passion about flowers at Garden Party with Margot Shaw, a special event hosted by the Gertrude Windsor Garden Club in Tyler.

Her presentation is set for 4 p.m. March 18 at Willow Brook Country Club. Tickets cost $65 and can be ordered by contacting the garden club at gwgcparty@gmail.com.

Kelley Brownlow, the club’s president, said she believes Shaw’s message will resonate in Tyler, where the rose is the symbol of the city.

“Her message has a broad appeal,” Brownlow said. “It’s more than just about growing flowers. Its about how to live with flowers.”

Considering that Shaw’s visit will be just two days before the start of the annual Azalea and Spring Flower Trail, Brownlow said the message of living with flowers couldn’t be more timely.

In “Living Floral: Entertaining and Decorating with Flowers,” Shaw presents practical advise and resources, and illustrates tablescapes with flowers as the centerpiece.

The book also contains portraits of top tastemakers who share their joy of flowers at home and as part of entertaining.

A native of Birmingham, Alabama, Shaw studied art history at Hollins College in Virginia and interior design at the University of Texas at Austin. When planning her daughter’s wedding and working alongside the floral and event designer, she recognized the artistry and inspiration involved in floral design and began apprenticing with the same designer.

Unable to locate a publication that spoke to her passion, she set about creating one and launched FLOWER Magazine. Now in its 12th year, the magazine has grown to include features on homes, gardens, entertaining and lifestyle.

Shaw has since become an in-demand speaker at antique and garden shows, museums, botanical gardens, interior design centers and more.

Gertrude Windsor Garden Club is hosting the Garden Party to raise money that will be used to improve and enhance the Heritage Rose and Sensory Garden in Tyler Rose Garden.

“Our goal is to draw more visitors to the Heritage Rose and Sensory Garden and create a destination of architectural and design interest within The Tyler Municipal Rose Garden,” Brownlow said.

The Tyler-based Gertrude Windsor Garden Club, an affiliate of Garden Club of America, meets each month from fall through spring.

“Our fundraisers occur as needed to bolster our projects,” Brownlow said. “Historically, the years that we are not having a fundraiser, we have a Club Flower Show or GCA (Garden Club of America) Flower Show. These flower shows showcase floral design, horticulture, photography, botanical arts and conservation.”

The club was founded by the late Gertrude Windsor in 1950. It also is affiliated with Texas Garden Clubs and Tyler Council of Garden Clubs

Currently the club has 45 active members, 21 affiliate members and two provisional members, Brownlow said.

Besides the Heritage Rose and Sensory Garden, the club’s projects include restoration and enhancement of the north entrance of Tyler Municipal Rose Garden and the Monarch Butterfly Way Station at Woldert Park.

Brownlow said the club’s projects are in keeping with the mission of the Garden Club of America: to stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening and improve and protect the environment through educational programs and civic improvements.