In order to mark the first half-century of the Garden Club of Monaco, the Stamp and Coin Office has issued a commemorative stamp with a face value of €1.90.

The stamp depicts a rose, possibly the favourite bloom of Princess Grace, a keen gardener.

The Garden Club of Monaco was founded in 1968 by the Princess, a great lover of nature, who wanted to promote the art of flower arranging to encourage a better appreciation of the beauty of blossoms.

Every year, since it was first founded, the association has organised an International Bouquet Competition that has grown over the years to almost 150 entrants. With the theme of “Antiquity”, this year’s contest will be held on Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3 in the Chapiteau in Fontvieille, and will be open to public on the Sunday, from 9:30 am to 6:30 pm.

This International Bouquet Competition is reserved for amateurs with two juries deciding on the entries for 10 categories. The Official Jury is composed of a panel of graduates in floral art, while the Special Jury, is chaired by Club President since 1982, the Princess of Hanover, and includes personalities of the literary and artistic world.

The Garden Club of Monaco also offers 8 evening courses across the year at €60 a class. The next events are Wednesday, March 21: “An Easter Lunch”, by Sylvia Ratkowski-Pastor, Wednesday, April 11: “Contemporary Composition” by Gérard Rué, and Wednesday, April 18,: “In the Ikebana Spirit” by Rosella Zenere. Register by email: gardenclub@monaco.mc

Download rules and regulations for International Bouquet Competition, or visit the website for more details.