Local florist Ian Prosser, owner of Botanica International in south Tampa, has been tapped to oversee their creation. He'll be coordinating the work of 10 design teams, each with 10 members from across the country.

Prosser earned the honor after overseeing floral designs for the Society of American Florists' past two annual conventions, said Jennifer Sparks, vice president of marketing for the Virginia-based organization.

Prosser is skilled at large- event work, Sparks said Monday. ``He's an expert floral designer with excellent organizational skills, and he has a great ability to motivate people. Those are really the key ingredients for managing a project of this magnitude.''

The florists will work long hours without pay.

Still, it's a coveted honor, said Prosser, recalling when he worked in a warehouse chilled to 17 degrees to assemble decorations for President Clinton's first inauguration.

Prosser also helped with Bush's inauguration four years ago.

There were differences.

``The arrangements for the Clintons were very large. The flowers for Bush were considerably smaller and very tastefully done,'' Prosser said.

Before Jan. 16, Prosser will head to Washington to discuss what flowers to use.

``We're trying to get into more vibrant colors this year, rather than just patriotic colors,'' he said. He expects roses, lilies and orchids to play prominent roles, as well as yellow roses.

Prosser, a native of Scotland who moved to Florida in 1985, noted there's a lot to consider when planning floral decorations: What will the chairs look like? What color will the table linens be?

Designers are interested in the overall look of a room.

It starts, though, with individual flowers, hundreds of thousands of them.

``It's daunting because as you look at it, it appears like a football field of flowers and in four days these flowers have all to be turned into floral arrangements,'' Prosser said.

``It's a mass production. You're the guy who puts the roses in. She's the person who puts the carnations in. It's the only way to get the task done.''

Meeting deadlines is critical.

Florists must complete their work before security sweeps can be done.

``When they [security teams] say they're coming in at 3:01 and three-quarters, that's when they walk through the door. Wherever you are at that point, you're done. If you only have half the table arrangements on the table, you're done.

``The security before 9/11 was very intense. I can hardly imagine what it's going to be like this time,'' Prosser said.

Being selected to oversee floral designs has nothing to do with political affiliations, he added.

``It's really not who you voted for; it's the office of the president. Of course, you just don't voice your opinion if you're for the other side.''

Reporter B.C. Manion can be reached at (813) 259-7150.