A Port Arthur native, Morris "Buddy" Benz achieved national and international success as a floral designer, author and lecturer. After serving as a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and receiving a B.S. in landscape art and horticulture from Texas A & M in 1932, Benz went on to develop theories of design which revolutionized the floral industry. His principles of design were put forth in several books including Free Form - Interpretive Design and Flowers: Abstract Form. His innovative techniques elevated floral art to fine art by presenting floral design as a provocative visual experience. 

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