Floral and Horticultural Competitions:
helping members build confidence and skills in those areas.
helping members build confidence and skills in those areas.
The HWGC holds periodic floral and horticultural competitions at monthly meetings, open to all club members
Scroll below for helpful resources and Monthly Competition Requirements.
Scroll below for helpful resources and Monthly Competition Requirements.
Member's floral design competition entry examples: Spring 2022.
A Design Tip: Foam-free or green floral mechanic alternatives are hidden water sources or chicken wire combined with moss or a wood frame of branches. Check out the article from Johnny's Seeds on Sustainable Floral Design and better choice mechanics.
For a how to, check out Design Techniques with Joseph Massie. |
In 2020, Mary Huntoon, a club member and an award winning floral designer noted for her creative design, discussed the National Garden Club Design principles and elements, and explored the point scoring system for award consideration.
click here to view and print a guide |
Monthly competition requirements
1. Entries must be ready for judging, including completed entry cards, 15 minutes prior to the start time of the meeting
(eg., 6:15 for a 6:30 start, 6:45 for a 7:00 start). Judging will begin promptly at the scheduled meeting time. The decisions of the judges are final. Awards may be withheld if not merited.
2. Each exhibitor is limited to one entry per class except in Horticulture. Although only entries for classes listed in the monthly schedule will be judged, we urge you to bring other specimens that might be of interest and education to all.
3. Members who are judging will not be allowed to enter design or horticulture for that month. They will however, receive two points for judging. Every club member is expected to judge, signup sheets will be available each September.
Design competition requirements
Club members may advance only one class each year if warranted:
a. Novice: A beginner
b. Intermediate: An exhibitor who has won two first place (Blue Ribbons) in monthly competitions in the novice class or one first place (Blue Ribbon) in either the Club’s or outside Standard or Specialty Flower Shows.
c. Experienced: An exhibitor who has won first place (Blue Ribbon) in a Standard or Specialty Flower Show.
Complete a Design Entry Card. See the sample entry card below, and download a blank
one to fill out for entry. For any questions contact the Design Chairperson.
Horticulture competition requirements
Entries must be submitted in clean, clear, colorless glass containers. Wedging material
(small-scale bubble wrap or plastic wrap) is permitted. Specimens may not have any
foliage below the water line. Vegetables and fruits are submitted on a plain white paper plate.
Houseplants should be presented in a terra-cotta or solid color pot, and may be double-potted.
A specimen is a fruit, vegetable, plant, bloom, spike, spray, or stalk. An exhibitor may
have more than one entry in each class if each is a different species, variety, type,
cultivar, or color. All plant material must be fresh, grown and in possession of the
exhibitor for at least 90 days (except for seedlings).
Bloom: Individual flowers, one in bloom on a stem. (Example: Zinnia)
Spike: Stemless flowers on a common stalk. (Example: Gladiolus)
Spray: Portions of plants with a number of flowers on a stem. (Example: Cosmos)
Stalk: A stiff stem with one or more flowers and buds. (Example: Bearded Iris)
Complete a Horticulture Entry Card. See the sample entry card below, and download a blank
one to fill out for entry. For any questions contact the Horticulture Chairperson.
1. Entries must be ready for judging, including completed entry cards, 15 minutes prior to the start time of the meeting
(eg., 6:15 for a 6:30 start, 6:45 for a 7:00 start). Judging will begin promptly at the scheduled meeting time. The decisions of the judges are final. Awards may be withheld if not merited.
2. Each exhibitor is limited to one entry per class except in Horticulture. Although only entries for classes listed in the monthly schedule will be judged, we urge you to bring other specimens that might be of interest and education to all.
3. Members who are judging will not be allowed to enter design or horticulture for that month. They will however, receive two points for judging. Every club member is expected to judge, signup sheets will be available each September.
Design competition requirements
Club members may advance only one class each year if warranted:
a. Novice: A beginner
b. Intermediate: An exhibitor who has won two first place (Blue Ribbons) in monthly competitions in the novice class or one first place (Blue Ribbon) in either the Club’s or outside Standard or Specialty Flower Shows.
c. Experienced: An exhibitor who has won first place (Blue Ribbon) in a Standard or Specialty Flower Show.
Complete a Design Entry Card. See the sample entry card below, and download a blank
one to fill out for entry. For any questions contact the Design Chairperson.
Horticulture competition requirements
Entries must be submitted in clean, clear, colorless glass containers. Wedging material
(small-scale bubble wrap or plastic wrap) is permitted. Specimens may not have any
foliage below the water line. Vegetables and fruits are submitted on a plain white paper plate.
Houseplants should be presented in a terra-cotta or solid color pot, and may be double-potted.
A specimen is a fruit, vegetable, plant, bloom, spike, spray, or stalk. An exhibitor may
have more than one entry in each class if each is a different species, variety, type,
cultivar, or color. All plant material must be fresh, grown and in possession of the
exhibitor for at least 90 days (except for seedlings).
Bloom: Individual flowers, one in bloom on a stem. (Example: Zinnia)
Spike: Stemless flowers on a common stalk. (Example: Gladiolus)
Spray: Portions of plants with a number of flowers on a stem. (Example: Cosmos)
Stalk: A stiff stem with one or more flowers and buds. (Example: Bearded Iris)
Complete a Horticulture Entry Card. See the sample entry card below, and download a blank
one to fill out for entry. For any questions contact the Horticulture Chairperson.
Member's horticulture competition entry examples.
Interested in entering the design or horticulture competitions? Use one of these cards with your entry.
