The Nebraska Florists Society is inviting the general public to help judge the Iron Florist Design Competition during the spring meeting at the Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St., Omaha.

The spring design show begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday and is open to the public. Members of the Nebraska Academy of Floral Designers, a formal organization within the Nebraska Florists Society, will give cut-flower presentations.

"I've been a member for 12 years," said Pam Cyboron, owner of Corum's Flowers, 639 Fifth Ave. "I've been in this store since 1974, but I've been a florist all my life."

Academy designers are required to have a certain number of competition wins and presentation hours under their belts to qualify for membership.

"We help out at design shows and contests," Cyboron said. "Members volunteer and promote education for the benefit of the floral industry."

A florist should have at least five years of experience before attempting a competition, according to Cyboron, an "Iron Florist" contestant.

"It's going to be kind of like 'Iron Chef' where we do three different arrangements and the public judges," Cyboron said. "This is the first year we've done this that I know of."

All of the contestants are given the same raw materials and asked to create the perfect garden centerpiece, bridesmaid bouquet and freestyle design on the spot.

Cyboron said that the experience will also be unique because academy members do not generally compete against each other.

The contest begins at 1 p.m., and flower lovers everywhere are invited to enjoy the design show and Lauritzen Gardens before judging for themselves.