From left: Lan Su Curator of Horticulture Josie Losh stands with the 2026 Judge’s Awards winners, Jayme Rabenberg (third), Amanda Bayha (first), and Kirstin Garber (second). Photo by Dylan Evanston.
Lan Su Chinese Garden’s annual Chrysanthemum Festival kicked off on November 5, 2026 with the Floral Design Showcase, curated in partnership with PNW Florist Association. A total of 20 designers created breathtaking sculptures honoring chrysanthemums and interpreting this year’s theme, Golden Blooms Upon Autumn Waters (金英照秋水). Their works dazzled visitors even more as they illuminated during Nights of the Golden Flower throughout the weekend.
Each designer receives a stipend to help bring their vision to life, with generous support from Bill Doran Company – Portland, Frank Adams Wholesale, Mayesh, and Oregon Flower Growers Association.
Winners for Designer’s Choice and the three Judge’s Awards were announced the first evening, with People’s Choice voting open through 3:00 PM on Sunday, November 15. Keep reading to learn about the 2026 winners and their pieces!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
List of 2026 Floral Design Showcase Winners
Designer’s Choice Award: Thang Ngo
Photos by Dylan Evanston
Following opening remarks by Lan Su Board President Helen Ying, designers were invited to explore each other’s works and choose their favorite. After a five-way tie, the judges called upon past featured designers of the showcase who were in attendance to help choose the winner. Thang Ngo won the 2026 Designer’s Choice Award for his piece, “Autumn Golden Reflection,” featuring a shallow, water-filled tray with floating mums and a reclaimed branch adorned with larger blooms.
In the designer’s own words: “An old bonsai-like branch, twisted and adorned with hanging lichen, arches over a water-filled ceramic vase, creating a mirror of autumn’s beauty. Golden chrysanthemums illuminate the weathered wood, evoking the contemplative lives of ancient Chinese scholars, who sought wisdom and harmony in nature, simplicity, and solitude.”
Judge’s Award — Third Place: Jayme Rabenberg, Bloommonger
Photos by Dylan Evanston
Returning designer Jayme Rabenberg of Bloommonger took third place for her mum-adorned mirrors, “Through the Looking.”
In the artist’s own words: “Inspired by the Chinese fable The Peach Blossom Spring by Tao Qian and Alice’s Adventures Through the Looking Glass, this installation celebrates extraordinary worlds hiding just beyond the familiar. The Chinese idiom shiwai taoyuan describes a hidden paradise discovered by following curiosity. Like that elusive valley, a garden is never the same place twice. Through these mirrors, discover new perspectives, unexpected beauty, and worlds waiting to be found. Be curious, my friends.”
Judge’s Award — Second Place: Kirstin Garber
Photos by Dylan Evanston
One of several larger-than-life sculptures, Kirstin Garber’s “Treasure of the Autumn Pond” took home second place in the Judge’s Awards for 2026. Kirstin is also a returning designer to the annual Floral Design Showcase.
In the designer’s own words: “The autumn season is a time of harvest. It is a time when one can fully appreciate the fruits of the year. Koi fish have long been a symbol of abundance, wealth, and success in Chinese culture. In feng shui, these ‘living jewels’ are said to attract positive energy, prosperity, growth, and harmony. As you look upon this golden koi, the treasure of the autumn pond, think of some of the things that would make your life more abundant. Now is the time and the season to be grateful for the prosperity in our lives, but to also take those first hopeful steps towards a more auspicious future.”
Judge’s Award — First Place: Amanda Bayha, Soul Seeds
Photos by Dylan Evanston
Amanda Bayha of Soul Seeds invited guests to gently spin her winning piece, “Benevolent Power,” inspired by the dragonfish perched atop Lan Su’s Hall of Brocade Clouds.
In the artist’s own words: “Chinese dragons are a symbol of benevolent power, prosperity, and good fortune. Unlike western dragons, they are tied to water, rivers, and rain rather than fire. In this universal moment of heated division regarding our leadership, may we find the balance, reflection, and diversity embodied in the power of the dragon. May this sculpture invoke your own benevolent power.”
People’s Choice Award: You decide!
Voting for the People’s Choice Award is open through 3:00 PM (PT) on Sunday, November 15. Come check out all of the incredible floral sculptures and vote for your favorite! (QR codes are available throughout the garden to access the voting form.)
The winner will be announced just before closing on Sunday, November 15, around 4:00 PM. This post will be updated with the new People’s Choice winner for 2026 once available.
All 2026 Floral Artists
Competing Local Designers
(These designers applied and were selected to participate.)
Angela Hoyt – Flowers By Donna
Amanda Bayha – Soul Seeds
Anna Arkhangelskaya
Aroa Calvo – Cocobloom
Christine Banuelos – Flowers Now, Cry Later
Emily Thompson – Hazy Daisy Floral Co.
Hannah Boulier – Living Nature
Jayme Rabenberg – Bloommonger
Jenny Shadley
Jeremi Carroll – Pollinate Flowers
Jessica Taylor
Jordyn Long – Forte Floral Artistry
Kirstin Garber
Kristina Overlin
Krista Barnish – Krista Maxine
Laurie Farwell
Linda Golaszewski – Rooms in Bloom
Michael Martin – Blossom Bar
Thang Ngo
Featured Designer: Toni Tibbits
The headling artist, Toni Tibbits, was one of a few designers to include plants harvested from Lan Su Chinese Garden in their work. The right side of her roughly seven-by-ten-foot installation is made up of lotus leaves from Lan Su’s Lake Zither. The structure for the waterfall-inspired work was constructed on-site the day before the showcase, giving visitors a sneak peek at just how much work goes into each piece in the showcase.
More About Toni Tibbits, AIFD
Toni is a floral designer, botanical sculptural artist, educator, international floral installation creator, and a Laureate member of the prestigious American Institute of Floral Designers (AIFD).
She formed a floral and event design company in the Pacific Northwest serving high-profile private individuals and corporations, resulting in world-class events, weddings, and celebrations. Her passion is sharing the craft that she loves with others.
She has traveled extensively in the US and abroad related to her floral installation work, most recently to the Arctic, Sweden, Italy, and Belgium.
She also recently co-published a floral-focused book, Asian Allure, and been published in various articles and magazines.
(The featured designer is hired to participate and is not eligible for awards.)
About the Organizers
PNW Florist Association
The PNW Florist Association‘s mission is to promote and support florists and the floral industry within the Pacific Northwest Region. The PNWFA strives to create a community for all florists to be able to network, learn, and grow and provide an environment in which they can collaborate in showcasing the talent of our region.
Lan Su Chinese Garden
Lan Su Chinese Garden is one of the United States’ greatest treasures as it is one of only eight of its kind in all of North America. A tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, Lan Su is a powerfully inspiring experience that takes you through time, offering a window into Chinese culture, history, and way of thinking through its classical garden, cultural programming, and authentic Yun Shui Teahouse.
Thank You to Our Showcase Sponsors!
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