Florescence, one of the nation’s largest competitive flower shows, is presented by the River Oaks Garden Club, The Garden Club of Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and slated for April 19-20.

Held in the Caroline Weiss Law Building at the MFAH, Florescence will showcase floral arrangements, many of which will be interpretations of masterpieces from the museum’s permanent collection, along with rare and exotic plant specimens, miniature gardens, photography, botanical jewelry and needle arts.

Special exhibits will include floral exhibitions from The Asia Society, Texas State Florists’ Association and Houston Federation of Garden Clubs and Lamar High School floral design students.

Coastal Prairies: Houston’s Heartland, a collaborative of the Katy Prairie Conservancy, Coastal Prairie Partnership, River Oaks Garden Club and The Garden Club of Houston, will highlight conservation efforts in Southeast Texas. The exhibit is designed to engage a new generation of prairie stewards by showcasing the diversity and history of the prairies. Following Florescence, the exhibit will tour local nature centers and public schools along with a curriculum of videos, pictures and artifacts.

Florescence events begin with a floral demonstration and tea featuring Remco van Vliet, on Tuesday, April 19, at 2:30 p.m. in the Brown Auditorium Theater of the Law Building. Reservations are required, and tickets are $50 per person.

A cocktail reception will follow later that evening from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Law Building. Reservations are required, and tickets are $150 per person.

On Wednesday, April 20, Florescence will host the Florescence lecture and luncheon featuring Bobby McAlpine. The lecture will begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Brown Auditorium Theatre of the Law Building, with a seated luncheon following at Hotel Za Za. Reservations are required, and tickets are $125 per person.

All proceeds from Florescence will benefit civic projects of the River Oaks Garden Club and The Garden Club of Houston, as well as the Museum’s general operating budget. The 2011 show will be the eighth major flower show produced by the trio.