FLOWER AND PHOTOGRAPHY SHOWS

GENERAL RULES FOR EXHIBITING (May 2015 – April 2016)

Judging at Cloverleaf Garden Club of Mississauga (the Club) Flower Shows follows the Ontario Judging

and Exhibiting Standards for Horticulture and Floral Design, Publication 34, 2003 (OJES) published by

the Ontario Horticulture Association (OHA) and the Gar-den Clubs of Ontario (GCO). Copies of OJES

may be purchased on line at www.gardenontario.org.

1. The Flower Show is made up of three Divisions: Design, Horticulture, and Special Exhibits. In

March, a Photography Division is included.

2. Exhibiting is open to all Club members.

3. Entries must be placed on the exhibit tables between 6:30 and 7:25 p.m. at the latest.

4. Each exhibit must be accompanied by a completed entry tag and each exhibitor must fill out the entry

sheet provided at the prep table. Exhibitors are encouraged to use botanical names whenever possible.

Entry tags are available at the prep table.

5. Judging starts promptly at 7:30 p.m. at which time exhibitors must leave the show hall. Once judging

has commenced exhibitors are not allowed to move or change exhibits.

6. Exhibitors are not allowed to touch or move exhibits of other members under any circumstances. If

space is insufficient for your entry ask the show conveners to assist you.

7. To facilitate judging in the horticulture classes, show conveners, at their discretion, may move entries,

subdivide or com-bine classes, or remove entries from the show if they are dead, diseased or insect

infested.

8. Endangered plants must not be displayed. If entered these items will be disqualified and removed

from the show.

9. Extreme care will be taken with harmful or poisonous plants,

1. e.g., Datura/Brugmansia (Angel’s Trumpets), Ricinus (Castor Bean Plant), Solanaceae (Deadly

Nightshade), etc. If there is a concern regarding an entry, it may be taken off the table by the show

convener and an explanation given to the exhibitor.

10. The decision of the judge is final. An entry will not be awarded a prize if the judge considers it lacks

sufficient merit, even if it is the only entry in a class.

11. Due care will be taken of exhibitors’ property, but the Club will not be responsible for any loss or

damage.

12. Definitions found in this booklet conform to Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards (OJES),

Publication 34, 2003.

Horticultural Rules

1. All exhibits must be grown by the exhibitor in his/her own garden; should be of show quality and

should be correctly named wherever possible.

2. All exhibits should be clean and well groomed; debris should be removed from plants and from soil

on the top of plant pots. Dead berries, leaves, flowers and unsightly branches should be removed.

Plants should have no insect or disease infestations.

3. Only four entries are permitted in any cut-specimen class provided they are different and distinct

cultivars (varieties). Only one entry per exhibitor is permitted in Collections classes.

4. In any entry, flowers must be shown with their own attached foliage unless otherwise specified.

Narcissus and Hyacinths are exhibited without foliage.

5. Potted plants must have been in the possession of the exhibitor for at least three months prior to the

Show

6. The same plant may not be shown twice in the same year un-less it is in a changed condition (e.g.

foliage exhibition one month, in flower another month).

7. Where a definite number is specified, no more or less may be exhibited. A bud showing colour is

considered a bloom.

8. A specimen bloom is a single flower on a stem (e.g. Rose, Dahlia, Peony). Specimen blooms should

be disbudded when the buds appear to encourage blooms typical of the plant. Please note that

miniature roses should have two sets of leaves attached. A specimen bloom must be disbudded to be

exhibited.

9. The Club will supply containers for exhibitors whenever possible except in the November and

February shows and where otherwise stated in the schedule. Where a “bowl of” is specified, or an

entry is overly long or heavy, exhibitors must supply their own container.

10. Members will arrange their entries in vases available at the prep table at the back of the show hall

then place the vase and completed entry card in the appropriate class space on the show tables.

11. Staking, wiring or tying will disqualify horticultural exhibits except in orchid classes.

12. Cut branches and vines will be measured from the top of the container.

13. Fruit, berries and vegetables must be displayed on a plain white paper plate or doily supplied by the

exhibitor. Single entries of large vegetables may be displayed directly on the exhibit table.

14. Educational Exhibits (see page 76 in OJES, 2003) are exhibits of special horticultural interest. They

will not be judged, but one point will be awarded in each of the following five categories:

Educational interest

Common and botanical name

Horticultural interest (exhibit must contain some horticultural material)

Origin Merit of specimen shown.

Design Rules 1. Judging is based on Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards (OJES) Publication 34, 2003 and the

International World Show Rules found on page 99 of OJES.

2. Only one entry is permitted per exhibitor in each class. The exhibitor must have made the design

unaided by others.

3. A novice in design is a member who has not won two firsts and/or Judge's Choice awards in a

standard class in a Clover-leaf flower show within three consecutive years. Once an exhibitor has

won two firsts and/or Judge's Choice awards they will no longer be eligible to enter novice classes in

following years.

4. Exhibitors are not allowed to touch or move entries of other exhibitors under any circumstances. If

space is insufficient for your design ask the show conveners.

5. Unless otherwise stated, any type of plant material may be used, including fresh cut flowers,

branches, decorative wood, dried or treated wood, fruit, foliage, dried flowers or seed heads.

6. A judicious use of painted material is permitted, but use of any artificial plant material is forbidden.

7. Wiring of flowers is allowed but wire and other mechanics must be covered or camouflaged as much

as possible, unless it is an integral part of the design.

8. Accessories, i.e. drapes, candles, stones, statues, etc. may be used to enhance the design unless

otherwise stated but should not become the primary focus.

9. Accessories, if used, should complete the design. If the design appears complete without accessories,

leave them out.

10. Entries are displayed on a 30” high table in a space 30" wide by 30" deep. Unless otherwise stated in

the schedule height is unrestricted. Entries must then conform to size restrictions stated. Ensure your

design is in proportion to the space allot-ted.

11. Miniature designs are not to exceed 5” in any direction including the container (which should not

exceed 1 ½” in height).

12. Small designs range from 5 ½” to 10”; must not exceed 10” in any direction including container and

accessories.

INTERNATIONAL FLOWER SHOW RULES

World Association of Flower Arrangers (WAFA)

1. An exhibit is made of plant material, with or without accessories, within a space specified in the show

schedule.

2. Plant material must predominate over all other components of the exhibit.

3. The use of artificial plant material is forbidden unless stated in the regulations.

4. Fresh plant material must be in water or in water-retaining material unless such material remains

turgid throughout the event.

5. Painted and/or artificially coloured plant material may be used unless otherwise stated in the

regulations.

Special Exhibits Rules

1. Special Exhibits are judged for both horticultural perfection and quality of the design elements.

2. Only one entry is permitted per exhibitor in Special Exhibits classes, i.e. pot-et-fleur, terrarium,

planter, dish garden, etc.

3. Definitions of Special Exhibits are found on pages 74 and 75 of OJES.

Photography Rules

1. The entry procedure is generally the same as for the flower show, except that photos will be pre-

judged and so must be either mailed in or handed in at the February meeting.

2. Entries are limited to two per exhibitor in each class.

3. All entries must be the work of the exhibitor and must have been taken in Ontario in the previous 24

months.

4. Note that photography classes are the same as those designated for the Photography Competition held

at 2015 OHA Convention in July.

5. Photographs must be 4” by 6” in size and matted to 5” by 7”. Photographs must not be in frames.

6. All photographs should reflect the theme and contain some horticulture content.

7. Digital photographs taken with digital cameras, or still photos taken with a camcorder, may be

manipulated (chopped, sharpened, colour adjusted, etc., by the photographer.

8. In the event that fewer than three entries are submitted for a class, prizes will be awarded at the

judge’s discretion.

9. A photograph may be submitted to the Cloverleaf show only once in a twelve month period.

Points One point will be recorded for each entry made in Horticulture and Photography classes and two points in

Design and Special Exhibits classes. In addition, the following points will be awarded to prize

winners:

Points 1st 2nd 3rd HM

Horticulture and Photography classes 5 3 2 1

Design and Special Exhibits Classes 9 6 3 2

A Standard Show must have a minimum of five classes in each of two Divisions, Design and

Horticulture, with a minimum of four exhibits in each class

“Best in Show” will be awarded for the best horticultural specimen and the most outstanding design

entry chosen by the judges at any Standard Show. However, if the entire show is not Standard, at the

discretion of the Show Convenor, if the quality of the entries war-rants it and the horticultural division

meets Standard Show requirements, “Best in Show” Horticulture may be awarded. 10 points awarded

“Judge’s Choice” may be awarded at any show, Standard or other-wise, in either or both divisions.

Judge’s Choice may be awarded to any entry as this award is at the Judge’s discretion. 10 points awarded

FLOWER SHOW DEFINITIONS

Definitions conform to the Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards (OJES), Publication 34, 2003.

Accessory: Inorganic object(s) used in a subordinate manner to enhance a design of plant material; may

include fabric, figurines, books, stones, etc. A design incorporating an accessory should appear

incomplete if the accessory were removed.

Annual: An herbaceous plant that completes its cycle of growth from seed to seed in one year.

AOC: Any other cultivar not otherwise listed in the show schedule.

Bowl: A container that is wider than it is high.

Bowl of Flowers: This entry should include attached foliage, as well as flowers. Flowers should fill the

bowl and are allowed to overhang the edge.

Biennial: An herbaceous plant that requires two growing sea-sons to complete its normal growth cycle

from seed to seed (e.g. Sweet William, Malva).

Bud: An immature flower insufficiently expanded to show the form of typical bloom. For show purposes,

a bud showing colour is considered a bloom.

Collection: A specified number of cut flowers, potted plants, fruit, and/or vegetables exhibited for

horticultural perfection. Quality, number and rarity of items making up the group, plus horticultural

perfection are foremost in judging collections. Exhibitors are encouraged to name the plants in a col-

lection.

Container: Any receptacle for plant material. It should be compatible with the material used. In design

classes it is an integral part of the design.

Corsage: A design to be worn for adornment featuring plant materials, enhanced by accessories: beads,

ribbons, etc. Factors to consider are size and technique, including the reverse side, and the accessories.

Cultivar: A variety of forms of plants originated or maintained only in cultivation (e.g. Rose-Peace).

Design: The organization of the design elements in an arrangement.

Dish Garden: A miniature landscape in an open shallow container. Plants should have similar cultural

requirements and may include accessories to scale.

Duo Design: A two-sided design in one container or appearing to be in one container. Each side is

different from the other, is exhibited and judged in a different class

Functional Tray: A show tray on which components are placed in a logical and utilitarian manner for the

actual service of food. No cutlery should be used.

Hand Tied: A design of plant material making use of its own stems, which are usually tied with string or

raffia. It may be hand-held or inserted in a container.

Herbaceous Plant: Non-woody plants that die to the ground at the end of the growing season. Annuals,

biennials and perennials are herbaceous.

Incorporating: When a design asks for a specific component to be incorporated, i.e. water, it refers to the

combining of that specific element in the design to create an artistic unit.

Line Design: A design in which linear pattern is dominant.

Line Mass Design: A design in which the line is reinforced by a mass of plant material: usually

asymmetrical with a rhythmic flow. Such designs include traditional forms like cascade, crescent,

inverted crescent, triangular, horizontal and Hogarth Curve

Mass Design: A design with a large quantity of plant material arranged in a closed silhouette with few or

no voids.

Miniature Design: A design with maximum dimensions of 12.7cm (5") in any direction (height, width,

depth and diagonal). For good proportion the container should not exceed 3.5 cm (1 1/2"). Usually

displayed in a niche to be viewed at eye level.

Miniature Plant: A plant that is a miniature by nature or cultivation, not an immature size of a normal

size plant.

Monochromatic - a colour harmony that includes one hue, using tints, tones and shades in different

variations in value (light and dark) and chroma (weak and strong), e.g. pale yellow, bright yellow, olive

green.

Parallel: A design in which three or more groupings are placed in a parallel manner with open spaces

between the group-ings. Parallel direction may be vertical, horizontal or diagonal. Design is in one

container or containers combined so as to appear as one unit.

Perennial: A plant which lives for three or more years and after reaching maturity typically produces

flowers and seeds each year.

Classification: Herbaceous perennial– top dies down to the ground each winter

Woody perennial – top persists above ground over winter (shrub)

Planter: A number of different plants artistically grouped and growing in a single container, i.e. window

box. This exhibit does not include china and/or pottery accessories.

Plants and Flowers: An exhibit of growing plants with fresh-cut flowers and/or foliage. Any other plant

material and/or accessories may be included.

Pot et Fleur: An exhibit of growing plants, in or out of pots, packed with moisture-retaining material,

plus cut flowers in tubes of water, floral foam or other water-retaining material, all assembled in one

container. Moss, wood and rocks may be included. No cut foliage is permitted but cut flowering and/or

fruited branches may be used.

Seed head: The seed growth that develops toward the terminal end of a flowering or fruited branch upon

ripening of the flowers or fruits.

Seedpod: The capsule or container which holds the seeds of such plants as lima bean and milkweed, and

which usually splits open upon ripening.

Small Design: A design from 13.9 to 25.4 cm (51/2 - 10”) and which must not exceed 25.4 cm (10”) in

any dimension (height, width, depth, or diagonal)

Specimen Bloom: A rose, peony, or dahlia exhibited with one bloom per stem, with side buds removed

and no other side growths from leaf axils.

Spike: A thick upright stem carrying several flowers, usually with short pedicels (e.g. gladiolus,

snapdragons)

Spray: The terminal flowering growth of an herbaceous or woody plant carried on one stem. Ideally it

would show all forms, e.g. flowers in bloom, buds showing colour, green buds and leaves (e.g. rose,

columbine).

Synergistic Design: A contemporary design in which several containers are used in a composition. Each

component may hold a complete or partial arrangement and the combined units create a unified whole.

Terrarium: A miniature landscape in a covered transparent container, other than a bottle. Plants must be

completely confined within the container and have similar cultural requirements. No cut plant material is

allowed.

Truss: A cluster of flowers or fruits growing from one stem, (e.g. small fruited tomato, lilac).

Underwater Design: A design with part(s) of the plant material placed underwater to create interest.

Although no definite percentage of the material is defined to be underwater, the entire design must not be

under water. The water must come to the top of the container.

Water-viewing Design: Usually a line design in a shallow container(s) with one-half to two-thirds of the

container surface showing water.

MECHANICS OF FLOWER ARRANGING

You should cover or camouflage your mechanics as much as possible unless they are an integral part of

the design. Practice putting your mechanics together the night before the flower show.

Accessories

Suggestions: small figurines, shells, rocks, glass marbles, pebbles, wood, etc. No sand or earth is allowed.

Kenzan (Pin holder): Expensive but lasts forever, comes in several shapes and sizes. Available at Lee

Valley, Michaels, RBG.

Floral stickum (not plasticine) - holds Kenzan etc. to container.

Everything must be dry to make it stick. For best results stretch the stickum before using. This should be

done 24 hours ahead.

Floral Foam (Oasis) Soak in cool water, perforations up, do not push down. Fit to container leaving

space for watering.

Wet floral foam can be kept in a sealed plastic bag in a fridge. For best results in shows longer than a few

hours soak floral foam in cool water containing plant preservative.

Anchor pins Little round green plastic ‘tables’ with four legs. Stick them on the container with stickum;

then impale the floral foam on the legs. Number of pins used is dependent on the size of the floral foam or

design. You can also use plastic “stools” from pizza delivery boxes.

Floral Tape (not floral wrap for stems) Helps hold floral foam in place.

Chicken Wire Used for mass arrangements. Secure loosely over floral foam with green tape for more

stability.

Flora-life or Bleach Ensure that no leaves are under the water as this causes bacteria growth. To prevent

bacteria growth and help flowers last longer add:

- 1-oz. flora-life to 40-oz. water in container or

- 1/2-tsp. chlorine bleach to 40-oz. water.

WHAT JUDGES LOOK FOR………

DESIGN DIVISION

Principles of Design (Rules): are basic standards used to organize, define and evaluate the design, its

elements and components (see OJES, p. 84.

Balance: is the visual stability from any angle or dimension. A balanced design does not appear

top-heavy, bottom heavy or lop-sided.

Rhythm: is the visual path that suggests motion in the design accomplished by the repetition of

an element at regular or irregular intervals. This can be expressed in line, form, colour, spacing

between flowers or the simple repetition of curves or planes within a composition.

Proportion: is the relative amount of one area to another, i.e.: the amount of plant material to the

container, the amount of round forms to linear forms, the amount of rough texture to smooth.

Scale: is the size relationship of all components, .i.e. the size of one flower in relation to another,

etc.

Contrast: is the difference achieved by placing opposites or un-like elements together in such a

way as to emphasize the difference.

Dominance: is the force of one element implying subordination.

Elements of Design (Tools) (see OJES, p. 82): are the working components that the designer used and

which, when combined and organized form a complete unit.

Space: the open area around and within a design. Total space is three-dimensional and influences

size, form and direction. Space also refers to the total space allowed by the schedule.

Line: forms the structural framework of the design. It is the visual path along which the eye is led

from one point of interest.

Form: is the three dimensional shape of the design (height, width and depth). Each piece of plant

material has a form of its own that may be linear, round, transitional, open or closed.

Colour: appeals to the visual sense and is the most compelling element in a design.

All colours possess three qualities: s the full intensity colour.

Chroma is the degree of intensity or purity of a hue (bright/dull).

Value of a colour depends on the amount of black, white or gray mixed with the hue.

Tint is the pure hue to which white has been added.

Shade is the pure hue to which black has been added.

Tone is the pure hue to which gray has been added.

Texture: is the surface quality of materials. Texture appeals to sight and touch and is described

as rough or smooth, coarse or fine, glossy or dull. Textures add interest, variety and contrast.

Pattern: is the design formed by solids and spaces (plant material, container and other

components) against a background.

HORTICULTURE DIVISION TERMINOLOGY

Balance: is the arrangement of leaves and florets on the stem. The balance should be even and pleasing.

Colour: should be typical of the cultivar. Variegation should be true for the cultivar.

Condition: is the actual physical appearance of the entry at the time of judging. Specimens that are over-

mature are not of good exhibition quality.

Distinction: is marked superiority in all respects – it is better, closer to perfection than any other

specimen.

Floriferousness: is the abundance of flowers.

Form: is the overall shape of the plant, flower, leaf and/or stem and should be characteristic of the

cultivar.

Grooming: is the removal of any evidence of spray, dust, insect damage, foreign materials or any faded

or wilted petals or flowers.

Labeling: should be neat and legible with the correct botanical and common name of genus and cultivar.

Size: should be normal for a well-grown specimen of the cultivar exhibited.

Stem & foliage: Stem and flower(s) should be in good proportion. The stem should be sufficiently strong

to support the bloom(s). Only attached foliage is permitted unless other-wise stated.

Substance: is quality of the firmness of flower or leaf enabling it to retain its characteristic form,

freshness and colour.

Texture: is the surface quality of plant materials, the smoothness or roughness.

Uniformity: When two or more specimens of a given cultivar are exhibited, they should be as uniform as

possible in size, shape, colour and stage of maturity.