Read the Horticulture Division rules & guidelines
HORTICULTURE DIVISION CLASSES
Entering the Newport Flower Show is easy! Complete the online form, click "submit" and it will be automatically e-mailed to our committee.
Horticulture Design Registration Form
DIVISION I: CREATIVE OUTDOOR CONTAINERS
Division I Class Consultant: Jim Donahue
(401) 847-1000, ext. 154
jdonahue@newportmansions.org
Passing & Registration for entries in Divisions I
Wednesday, June 16th, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
For 2021, all Creative Outdoor Containers, Classes 1-6, will be passed in the foyer of Rosecliff and staged in the ballroom. Please note, in Division I, rule #1 – the ‘length of ownership’ requirement, does not apply in Division I.
Class 1: Sylvan Voices | The 2021 Garden Club Challenge
Up to 12 entries
Garden clubs are invited to plant a classical urn on a plinth, to include a preponderance of silver-toned plant material; there are no other planting restrictions. The class will be subdivided into three classes of four competitors; each sub-class delineated by a different set of decorative garden stakes, which must be included in the planting. Insert planters for the urns will be provided by appointment at 424 Bellevue Avenue, along with an accessories set, assigned by random drawing. Additional accessories are not permitted. A planting diagram, on an 8.5 x 11” sheet is required. Entries will be displayed in full sun on the fountain terrace behind Rosecliff.
Class 2: Native Voices
4 entrants, pre-registration required.
The Back in Bloom Committee invites native plant enthusiasts to create a mini-habitat, mixed container, using only Rhode Island native plants, using planter of their choice, not to exceed 12” in diameter. A list of Rhode Island native plants can be found at: https://web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/ Rhode Island native plants. The plants included should be horticulturally compatible. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display. Accessories are not permitted.
Class 3: Groovy Terrarium
4 entrants, pre-registration required.
They’re back! A staple of 1970’s horticulture is trending…, four creative gardeners will enter their terrarium, in a container of their choice, not to exceed 12” in diameter. The plants utilized should be horticulturally compatible. Accessories are permitted. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display.
Class 4: Plant Mixology
4 entrants, pre-registration required.
What better way to celebrate Back in Bloom than with a plant cocktail? Four gardeners will plant the botanical ingredients for the cocktail of their choice, in the container of their choice, not to exceed 12” in diameter. Accessories are permitted and your cocktail recipe must accompany the planter. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display.
Class 5: Succulents Redux
4 entrants, pre-registration required.
Succulents do not require much root space, making them ideal for planting in the odd, found object. Pair your favorite succulent(s) with an unexpected object used as a planter. Found object not to exceed 12” in width. Accessories are not permitted. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display.
Class 6: Enduring Beauty
4 entrants, pre-registration required.
Interest in perennial plants continues to grow. Compose a mixed planting of three or more different perennials, chosen for foliage and/or flower, in a planter not to exceed 18” in diameter. Horticultural compatibility and careful consideration of color and texture are essential in the composition. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display.
Horticulture Design Registration Form Complete the online form, click "submit" and it will be automatically e-mailed to our committee.
DIVISION II: ORNAMENTAL PLANTS GROWN IN CONTAINERS
Division Consultant: Libby Moore (401) 635.2657 | libbymoor@aol.com
Remember: One plant per pot unless otherwise stated. Except where noted, pots cannot exceed 12” in diameter. Containers must be able to be staged with ease. Due to limited display space, exhibitors are restricted to three entries per Division. Multiple entries by the same exhibitor must not be duplicates and should represent different species, varieties, or planting combinations (except where noted).
Topiary
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
(Entries must have been trained by the exhibitor)
Class 7: Trained on a frame
Class 8: Standard pruned to tree form
Bonsai
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 9: Woody plant trained in the Bonsai manner
Annual, Perennial or Biennial
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 10: Grown for flower
Class 11: Grown for foliage
Begonia
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 12: Any species or cultivar grown primarily for flower
Class 13: Any species or cultivar grown primarily for foliage
Fern
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 14: Container not to exceed 12” in diameter
Miniature or Dwarf Plant
6 entries, pre-registration required.
Class 15: A mature example of a species or cultivar that is one of the naturally diminutive members of the genus.
Orchid - Must be in bloom. No hangers.
4 entries per class, pre-registration required here.
Class 16: Novice Orchid Class (open to exhibitors who have not won a blue ribbon in the orchid class at The Newport Flower Show)
Class 17: Cattleya
Class 18: Paphiopedilum
Class 19: Phalaenopsis
Succulents
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 20: Agave, container 6” and under
Class 21: Agave, container over 6”
Class 22: Aloe, container 6" and under
Class 23: Aloe, container over 6”
Class 24: Crassula, container 6” and under
Class 25: Crassula, container over 6”
Class 26: Echeveria, container 6” and under
Class 27: Echeveria, container over 6”
Class 28: Euphorbia, container 6" and under
Class 29: Euphorbia, container over 6”
Class 30: Haworthia, container 6" and under
Class 31: Haworthia, container over 6”
Class 32: Other succulent
Family
Class 33:
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Three or more different species from one plant family (e.g., Apiaceae, Petroselinum (parsley), Illicium (anise), Anthenum (dill). In separate containers 6” or under, staged on a base or tray provided by the exhibitor. Photo Key Card required.
Species and/or Cultivars
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 34:
Three or more different species and/or cultivars from one plant genus (e.g., Agave: A. “Blue Glow”, A. isthmensis, A. victoria-reginae). Separate containers 6” or under, staged on a base or tray provided by the exhibitor. Photo Key Card required.
Parent and Child
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 35:
A single plant exhibited along with the parent plant from which it was propagated, each in a separate container. Date and method of propagation must be specified on a 4” x 6” white index card (starting date, light source, medium used, repotting date, etc.) Both plants will be judged.
Propagation
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 36:
A single plant propagated by the exhibitor from seed, stem, leaf cutting or other method. Date and method of propagation must be specified on a 4” x 6” white index card (starting date, light source, medium used, repotting date, etc.)
Grand Dame
4 entries per class, pre-registration required.
Class 37:
A plant noted for its age, owned by the exhibitor for at least 5 years.
Par
An individual plant, owned by the exhibitor at least 3 months, which does not qualify for entry elsewhere in Division II.
Horticulture Design Registration Form Complete the online form, click "submit" and it will be automatically e-mailed to our committee.
DIVISION III: CUT SPECIMENS
Division Consultant:
Passing and Registration for Entries in Division III
Thursday, June 17, 9:00 - 11:30 am
Division III Cut Specimen entries will be passed on the rear terrace of Rosecliff
Cut specimens must be properly conditioned in order to survive the entire (un-air conditioned) run of the Show. For 2021, due to limited display space, exhibitors are restricted to three entries per Division. Multiple entries by the same exhibitor must not be duplicates and should represent different species, varieties, or planting combinations (except where noted).
The height of the stem, staged in its vase, cannot exceed 30”. All stems should include enough foliage to indicate the overall health and vigor of the plant; two full sets of attached leaves are recommended. Also, length of stem should be proportional. All entries should be a single stem with foliage attached above the water line and must have been grown by the exhibitor.
Vases for staging your cut specimen will be provided by Back in Bloom.
Passing for cut specimens will end promptly at 11:30 am.
Judging criteria for cut specimens include: form, substance, condition, grooming and labeling. Back in Bloom reserves the right to remove cut specimens that have wilted.
Annuals and Biennials
Class 38: Annual or Biennial in bloom
Class 39: Annual or Biennial grown for foliage
Perennial
Class 40: Leucanthemum
Class 41: Paeonia
Class 42: Other perennial in bloom
Class 43: Other perennial grown for foliage
Bulb & Rhizome
Class 44: Allium
Class 45: Lilium Asiatic
Class 46: Lilium Oriental
Class 47: Lilium Other
Hydrangea
Class 48: Hydrangea arborescens
Class 49: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'
Class 50: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nikko Blue'
Class 51: Hydrangea macrophylla lacecaps
Class 52: Hydrangea macrophylla mopheads
Class 53: Hydrangea macrophylla other
Class 54: Hydrangea paniculata
Class 55: Hydrangea quercifolia
Class 56: Other Hydrangea
Hosta
To measure leaf size, measure leaf-length by leaf-width to obtain the size in square inches. Do not include petiole (stem) in your calculations. (Hint: An undersized leaf of a variety listed as a large leaf may not be entered in the medium class.)
Class 57: Miniature less than 6”
Class 58: Small 6" to 29"
Class 59: Medium 30" to 63"
Class 60: Large 64" to 119"
Class 61: Giant 120" or greater
Class 62: Enter a collection of 3 different varieties. Plant list required.
Fern
Class 63: Fern - single frond
Species Roses
Class 64: Species (wild) Rose, one stem or spray
Old Garden Rose
Old Garden Roses are those classes that existed prior to 1867 and include Alba, Avershire, Bourbon, Boursalt, Centifolia, Damask, Hybrid Bracteata, Hybrid China, Hybrid Eglanteria, Hybrid Foetida, Hybrid Gallica, Hybrid Multiflora, Hybrid Perpetual, Hybrid Sempervirens, Hybrid Setigera, Hybrid Spinosissima, Misc OGR’S Moss, Noisette, Portland Tea.
Class 65: Old Garden Rose (climbing & non-climbing) one stem or spray (class to be subdivided by type)
Modern Rose
Modern Roses are those classes that came into existence after 1867.
Class 66: Floribunda, one stem or spray
Class 67: Grandiflora, one stem or spray
Class 68: Hybrid Kordesii, one stem or spray
Class 69: Hybrid Rugosa, one stem or spray
Class 70: Hybrid Tea, one stem or spray
Class 71: Large Flowered Climber and Rambler, one stem or spray
Class 72: Miniature and Mini-Flora, one stem or spray
Class 73: Polyantha, one stem or spray
Class 74: Shrub Rose, one stem or spray
Class 75: Other modern rose
Class 76: Unidentified Rose, one stem or spray of any rose whose name is not known
Woody Plant, limited to one class in 2021, due to space limitations
Class 77: Cornus kousa, Japanese Dogwood, in bloom
Mixed Bouqet
Class 78: Minimum of three stems displayed in one vase, maximum of seven stems, each a different cultivar or variety. Not to exceed 24” high and 15” wide.
Horticulture Design Registration Form Complete the online form, click "submit" and it will be automatically e-mailed to our committee.