(Newport, RI)  The Newport Flower Show International Achievement Award for 2009 was awarded to HRH The Prince of Wales, in recognition of his distinguished career dedicated to sustainable and organic farming and gardening as well as his deep commitment to the world’s environment.  The award was announced on Saturday evening, June 27, during the Olmsted Benefactor dinner celebrating the 14^th annual Newport Flower Show.

In a letter to Flower Show co-chair Patricia Fernandez, Clive Alderton, Deputy Private Secretary to The Prince of Wales, said Prince Charles was "deeply touched" to have been nominated for the award, and that he accepted "with much pleasure." 

The acceptance letter went on to relate that, "The Prince of Wales has, for many years, been working to encourage a genuinely sustainable approach to the development of communities by encouraging 'joined up' thinking which considers the natural environment and built environment in a holistic way.  It is from this basic premise that His Royal Highness's initiatives trace a 'golden thread' which links the areas of organic agriculture, complementary medicine, planning our buildings in a way which builds communities and—crucially—community spirit, and finding ways to inspire teachers in order that they in turn can inspire our children."

EXHIBITOR AWARDS

The following competitive class awards were handed out at the Newport Flower Show at Rosecliff last weekend: 

Design Division

The Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award (design):   M. Liz Piazza, Cold Spring Harbor, NY

Corinne Clarke Reynolds Trophy (best interpretation of a selected design class):  Maureen Christmas, Acton , MA

The Bettie Bearden Pardee Award (an outstanding design using all fresh plant material grown and arranged by the exhibitor):    Maureen Christmas, Acton, MA

The Newport Flower Show Novice Award (most distinctive design by a novice in any class):
Sarah Rodgers, Portsmouth, RI

The Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award (most distinctive entry by a first-time exhibitor in any design class):    Kathleen Toland, Princeton, NJ

The Preservation Society of Newport County Design Award (for the Design Challenge Class):  
Julie Lapham, Southboro, MA

Garden Club of America Award of Distinction in Flower Arrangement:   Maureen Christmas, Acton, MA

National Garden Club Award in Design:   Maureen Christmas, Acton, MA

Horticulture Division

The Gilbert S. Kahn Sweepstakes Award (most blue ribbons in horticulture):  Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton, Wayne, PA

The Mrs. Robert M. Grace Best in Show Award (horticulture):  Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton, Wayne, PA

The Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton Award (most creatively original and whimsical presentation of plant material in any container):    Patricia Hamilton Fernandez, Newport, RI

The Oatsie Charles Award (most outstanding cut specimen of a shrub grown for its flower):  
Joan Tewksberry, Westport, MA

The Annie Laurie Aitken Award (most outstanding rose cut specimen in show):  
Tracey Roberts Haigney, Newport, RI

The Newport-in-Bloom Award (most exceptional entry in the Outdoor Container classes):  
David Quarry, Newport, RI

The URI Master Gardener Association Award (most distinctive indoor or outdoor container entry by a novice):  Donna Boulay, Newport, RI

The Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award (most distinctive entry by a first-time exhibitor in any horticulture class):   Pam Tessitore, Foster, RI

Green Animals Topiary Award (best topiary in show):  Mr. & Mrs. James J. Coleman, Newport, RI  

Rhode Island Wild Plant Society (best native RI plant in any class):   Carrie Waterman, Dover, MA

National Garden Club Award in Horticulture:  Mr. & Mrs. James J. Coleman, Newport, RI

Garden Club of America Award of Distinction in Horticulture:   Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton, Wayne, PA

Children's Education Division

The Daisy Award (most creative entry of the judged children's design class): Daniel Pippit

The Green Thumb Award (for the children's horticulture exhibitor whose entry shows outstanding horticulture effort and conveys a sincere appreciation and love of plants):   Ainsley & Darcy Weber

Photography Division

Newport Daily News Best in Show Award (for the most distinctive photograph, need not be a blue ribbon winner): Georgianna Erskine, Pasadena, CA