Read the Horticulture Division rules & guidelines | Division I and Division II Registration Forms
HORTICULTURE DIVISION CLASSES
Horticulture Exhibitor’s Reception
Get Growing!
Thursday, March 26, 2020, 5:00 pm
The Breakers Stables & Carriage House
53 Coggeshall Avenue, Newport, RI
Horticulture entrants are cordially invited to a reception
hosted by the 2020 Horticulture Committee.
Learn more about the horticulture competitions.
Enjoy good food, good conversation and begin planning your winning entries!
Please RSVP by Thursday, March 19, 2020
E-mail: Events@NewportMansions.org or Telephone: (401) 847.1000 ext. 169
DIVISION I: INVITATIONAL GARDEN DESIGN
Installation from 12 pm - 4 pm on Wednesday, June 17th and 8 am – 12 pm on Thursday, June 18th.
Division I Class Consultant: Jim Donahue
(401) 847-1000, ext 154
jdonahue@newportmansions.org
Class 1: Voices of Change | The 2020 Public Garden Challenge
Up to 12 entries
Public garden professionals are invited to create a 6 x 6’ square, mini-garden spotlighting a current, environmental landscape design issue. Whether it is drought tolerance, saving pollinators, flood resilience, native plantings, organic gardening or any other issue of their choice, the professionals’ gardens are meant to communicate messages from the frontlines of horticulture. To that end, each garden will feature an on-demand recording of the statement of intent by its designer, as well as signage promoting your public garden.
Plantings will be staged in full sun on the front lawn of Rosecliff. 6 x 6’ x 7.5” black, wooden kickboards will be provided by The Newport Flower Show Committee. Accessories are encouraged. A keyed planting diagram on an 8.5 x 11 sheet is required, using a template provided. Installation for this class is scheduled from noon to 4 pm on Wednesday, June 17th and/or 8 am - noon on Thursday, June 18th.
Click here for a complete list of Newport Flower Show Horticulture Division Rules and information. This class is for exhibition only and will not be judged competitively.
Class 2: Sylvan Voices | The 2020 Garden Club Challenge
Up to 12 entries
In celebration of the 25th anniversary of The Newport Flower Show, the central Beech grove on the front lawn of Rosecliff will be hung with countless silver windchimes and glistening crystals. Beneath the boughs, 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 silver-toned garden accessory. Insert planters for the urns will be provided at the Get Growing reception, along with the accessories, assigned by drawing. Additional accessories are not permitted. A planting diagram on an 8.5 x 11” sheet is required.
DIVISION II: CREATIVE OUTDOOR CONTAINERS
Passing & Registration for entries in Division II
Accepted Wednesday, June 17th, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm and Thursday, June 18th, 8:00 am – 10:00 am.
All Creative Outdoor Containers, Classes 3 to 7, will be passed in the passing tent behind Rosecliff and staged in the horticulture tent. Please note, in Division II, rule #1 – the ‘length of ownership’ requirement, does not apply.
Class 3: Signature Challenge | Special Class for 2020!
Gardenia is the signature flower of the 2020 Newport Flower Show. Gardenia, ‘Pinwheel,’ is growing in popularity as a fragrant, landscape shrub and flowering plant for mixed containers, reportedly hardy in Newport. The Newport Flower Show Committee invites six competitors to create a mixed, flowering planter incorporating Gardenia, ‘Pinwheel,’ to be provided and available for pick up the second week in May. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display. Accessories are not permitted. Pre-registration is required.
Class 4: Native Voices | Special Class for 2020!
The Newport Flower Show Committee invites six native-plant enthusiasts to create mini-habitat mixed containers, using only Rhode Island native plants, in an 18” cedar planter to be provided. A list of Rhode Island native plants can be found at: https://web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/ Rhode Island native plants. The plants utilized should be horticulturally compatible. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display. Accessories are not permitted. Pre-registration is required.
Class 5: Groovy Terrarium | Special Class for 2020!
They’re back! A staple of 1970s horticulture is trending…The Newport Flower Committee will give six, creative gardeners 12” glass globe containers to be planted as retro terrariums. 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. Pre-registration is required.
Class 6: Plant Mixology | Special Class for 2020!
What better way to celebrate the Newport Flower Show 25th anniversary than with a plant cocktail? Six gardeners will be invited to plant the ingredients for the cocktail of their choice, in the container of their choice. 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. Pre-registration is required.
Class 7: Succulents Redux
Succulents do not require much root space, making them ideal for planting in a found object. Pair your favorite succulent(s) with an unexpected object used as a planter. Additional accessories are not permitted. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display. Pre-registration is not required.
Class 8: Wicked Perennial
Interest in foliage plants continues to grow. Grasses, hostas and heucheras are just a few of the herbaceous perennials that can comprise beautiful container plantings. Use three or more different perennials in a planter featuring foliage only. Horticultural compatibility and careful consideration of color and texture are essential. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display. Pre-registration is not required.
Class 9: Par
Enter a container of three or more different species or varieties of plant material that does not qualify for entry elsewhere in Division II. To be judged individually on design and horticultural merit. An 8.5 x 11” photo key card must be submitted with the entry for display. Accessories are not permitted. Pre-registration is not required.
DIVISION III: ORNAMENTAL PLANTS GROWN IN CONTAINERS
Division Consultant: Libby Moore (401) 635.2657 | libbymoor@aol.com
Passing and Registration for Entries in Division III
Accepted Wednesday, June 17th, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm and Thursday, June 18th, 8:00 am – 10:00 am.
Division III entries will be passed in the passing tent, behind Rosecliff.
Remember: Containers must be able to be staged with ease. NEW In those classes marked by an *, container may include more than one plant of the same species or cultivar.
Topiary
(Entries must have been trained by the exhibitor - multiple plants of same variety per pot permitted.)
Class 10*: Trained on a frame
Class 11*: Trained in a stuffed form
Class 12*: Standard pruned to tree form
Bonsai
Class 13: Trained in the Bonsai manner, container 6” and under
Class 14: Trained in the Bonsai manner, container over 6”
Annual, Perennial or Biennial
Class 15*: Grown for flower
Class 16*: Grown for foliage
Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber or Corm
(Multiple bulbs of same variety per pot permitted in 17 & 18)
Class 17*: Grown for flower
Class 18*: Grown for foliage
Begonia
Class 19: Any species or cultivar grown primarily for flower
Class 20: Any species or cultivar grown primarily for foliage
Fern
Class 21: Container 6” and under
Class 22: Container over 6”
Miniature or Dwarf Plant
Class 23: 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 hanging containers, please.
Class 24: Novice Orchid Class (open to exhibitors who have not won a blue ribbon in the orchid class at The Newport Flower Show)
Class 25: Cattleya
Class 26: Paphiopedilum
Class 27: Phalaenopsis
Class 28: Any small Orchid, in a pot 3” and under
Class 29: Other Orchid
Succulents
Class 30: Agave, container 6” and under
Class 31: Agave, container over 6”
Class 32: Aloe, container 6" and under
Class 33: Aloe, container over 6”
Class 34: Crassula, container 6” and under
Class 35: Crassula, container over 6”
Class 36: Echeveria, container 6” and under
Class 37: Echeveria, container over 6”
Class 38: Euphorbia, container 6" and under
Class 39: Euphorbia, container over 6”
Class 40: Haworthia, container 6" and under
Class 41: Haworthia, container over 6”
Class 42: Other succulent
Family
Class 43:
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
Class 44:
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
Class 45:
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
Class 46:
A single plant propagated by the exhibitor from a) seed, b) stem, c) leaf cutting or d) 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.) Entry may include multiples of the same species.
Grand Dame
(A plant noted for its age, owned by the exhibitor for at least 5 years)
Class 47: Grown primarily for flower
Class 48: Grown primarily for foliage
Twins
Class 49: Two matching plants, judged as a pair
Rose
Class 50: Standard Tree Rose, no underplanting
Class 51: Rose, bush-form
Par
Class 52:
Enter an individual plant, owned by the exhibitor for a minimum of three months, which does not qualify for entry elsewhere in Division III. One par entry per exhibitor, please. To be judged on horticultural excellence.
DIVISION IV: CUT SPECIMENS
Division IV Class Consultant: Kate Lucey (401) 864-7833 | kate@katewhitneylucey.com
Passing and Registration for Entries in Division IV
Thursday, June 18, 2020 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Division IV entries will be passed in the Passing Tent behind Rosecliff
Cut specimens must be properly conditioned in order to survive the entire (un-air conditioned) run of the Show.
Stems may not exceed 40" in length, measured from the cut to the tip of the stem. 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. Only classes 93, 96 and 124 allow for multiple stems, all others are single-stem specimens.
Vases for staging your cut specimen will be provided by The Newport Flower Show. Please read the Horticulture Rules before entering your cut specimen. No entries will be passed after 3:30 p.m.
Judging criteria for cut specimens include: form, substance, condition, grooming and labeling. The Newport Flower Show reserves the right to remove cut specimens that have wilted.
Annuals and Biennials
Class 53: Annual or Biennial in bloom
Class 54: Annual or Biennial grown for foliage
Perennial
Class 55: Achillea
Class 56: Alchemilla
Class 57: Aquilegia
Class 58: Astilbe
Class 59: Astrantia
Class 60: Campanula
Class 61: Coreopsis
Class 62: Delphinium
Class 63: Dianthus
Class 64: Digitalis
Class 65: Leucanthemum
Class 66: Paeonia
Class 67: Salvia
Class 68: Veronica
Class 69: Other perennial in bloom
Class 70: Other perennial grown for foliage
Bulb, Rhizome, Tuber & Corm
Class 71: Allium
Class 72: Dahlia
Class 73: Iris
Class 74: Lilium Asiatic
Class 75: Lilium Oriental
Class 76: Lilium Other
Class 77: Other bulb, rhizome, tuber or corm in flower
Hydrangea
Class 78: Hydrangea arborescens
Class 79: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Endless Summer'
Class 80: Hydrangea macrophylla 'Nikko Blue'
Class 81: Hydrangea macrophylla lacecaps
Class 82: Hydrangea macrophylla mopheads
Class 83: Hydrangea macrophylla other
Class 84: Hydrangea paniculata
Class 85: Hydrangea quercifolia
Class 86: 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 87: Miniature less than 6”
Class 88: Small 6" to 29"
Class 89: Medium 30" to 63"
Class 90: Large 64" to 119"
Class 91: Giant 120" or greater
Class 92: Enter a collection of 3 different varieties. Plant list required.
Fern
Class 93: Fern native to North America - single frond
Class 94: Other fern - single frond
Class 95: Three fronds of different varieties. Plant list required.
Species Roses
Class 96: 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 97: 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 98: Floribunda, one stem or spray
Class 99: Grandiflora, one stem or spray
Class 100: Hybrid Kordesii, one stem or spray
Class 101: Hybrid Rugosa, one stem or spray
Class 102: Hybrid Tea, one stem or spray
Class 103: Large Flowered Climber and Rambler, one stem or spray
Class 104: Miniature and Mini-Flora, one stem or spray
Class 105: Polyantha, one stem or spray
Class 106: Shrub Rose, one stem or spray
Class 107: Other modern rose
Class 108: Unidentified Rose, one stem or spray of any rose whose name is not known
Woody Plant
Class 109: Broad leaf evergreen, in bloom
Class 110: Broad leaf evergreen, not in bloom
Class 111: Woody vines – Clematis
Class 112: Other woody vines
Class 113: Deciduous woody plant in bloom – Cornus
Class 114: Deciduous woody plant in bloom – Spirea
Class 115: Other woody plant in bloom
Class 116: Deciduous woody plant not in bloom – Acer
Class 117: Other deciduous woody plant not in bloom
Please note, classes 118 -120 will be displayed un-vased, lying on the tabletop.
Class 118: Conifers - Cupressaceae Family (includes Calocedrus, Chamaecyparis, Juniperus, Thuja)
Class 119: Conifers - Pinaceae Family (includes Abies, Cedrus, Larix, Picea, Pinus, Tsuga)
Class 120: Other Conifers
Native Wildflowers and Woody Plants
A list of Rhode Island native plants can be found at: https://web.uri.edu/rinativeplants/Rhode Island native plants.
Class 121: Native wildflower, in bloom
Class 122: Native flowering shrub or tree
Cutting Garden
Class 123: Enter three or more cut flowers and/or foliage specimens, of different varieties, from your garden. To be displayed in the exhibitor’s clear glass vase. The bouquet is not to exceed 20" in height, including vase. Plant list required. To be judged on horticultural excellence.
SAMPLE PHOTO KEY CARD
Plant Name
1 Euphorbia ‘Firesticks’
2 Aloe vera
3 Sedum ‘Angelina’
4 Aeonium ‘Kiwi’
5 Crassula muscosa ‘Princess Pine’
In an ongoing effort to improve the educational quality of exhibits at The Newport Flower Show, a Photo Key Card is required for all exhibits containing three or more rooted plants. A photo key card is a photo of your exhibit attached (or printed) on white card stock no larger than 5” x 8”. A numbered list of botanical and common names refers to the corresponding numbered plant in the photo. Please make an effort to complete your Photo Key Card prior to visiting the Passing Tent. For protection from the elements your Photo Key Card and Entry Card will be laminated to 8 ½” x 11” cardstock. Please do not use photo paper, which will blur in the laminating process.
HORTICULTURE DIVISION HELPFUL HINTS
General
How to properly measure a container - Size is measured as the longest inside dimension across the top of the pot; rectangular pots are measured on the diagonal. Disguised double potting is permitted. The inside pot is the one to be measured.
Horticulture Plant Classification and Labeling Resources
American Rose Society www.ars.org/about_roses/classification.html
Rhode Island Rose Society www.rirs.org
American Hydrangea Society www.americanhydrangeasociety.org
North American Lily Society www.lilies.org/types.html
Rhode Island Wild Plant Society www.riwps.org
New England Wild Flower Society www.newfs.org
Royal Horticulture Society www.rhs.org.uk
American Horticulture Society www.ahs.org
The American Horticultural Society A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants – Christopher Brickell, Judith D. Zuk
The New Royal Horticultural Society Index of Garden Plants - Mark Griffiths
Native Trees, Shrubs and Vines - William Cullina
Herbaceous Perennial Plants - Allan M. Armitage
Dirr’s Hardy Trees and Shrubs – Michael A. Dirr
Flower Show “Lingo”
Passing: Passers check to make sure exhibits are of show quality, properly groomed, pest and disease free, are in appropriate containers, meet class specifications and are labeled correctly.
Grooming: Cleaning plant material to remove unsightly parts, dirt and/or spray residue. Grooming should not alter the typical features of the plants or flowers.
Staging: Designing the Show layout of horticulture exhibits.
Labeling: Identifying all flower and plant entries with correct botanical names. Include the common name, botanical name and species or variety.
Examples:
Common Botanical Species/Variety
Lily Lilium ‘Casa Blanca’
Lavender Lavendula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’
Conditioning cut flowers: Cut plants outside in the early morning or late afternoon/evening – not in the heat of midday. Give the stem a fresh, angled, cut under water with a clean instrument and place it in room temperature water in a cool, shady area for 2 to 12 hours. Optional: Use a water-soluble cut flower preservative in the conditioning solution.
Horticulture “Talk”
Foliage Plant: Plants exhibited primarily for their foliage. A few flowers on the plants are acceptable, unless noted.
Annual Plant: A plant that usually germinates flowers and dies in one growing season (does not ‘winter over.’) Such a plant is termed ‘non-hardy.’
Perennial Plant (Herbaceous): A plant with non-woody stems that lives for more than 2 years, flowering over many seasons. Such a plant is termed ‘hardy.’
Biennial Plant: A plant that takes between 12 to 24 months to complete its life cycle. Can self-seed (i.e.: Foxglove).
Native Plant: A plant naturally occurring in its given environment. Native plants vary by geographic area.
Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: Shed their leaves at the same time annually.
Modern Garden Roses: The predominant roses of today in active development by hybridists after 1867
Old Garden Roses: The classes of roses that were established prior to 1867.
Species Roses (Wild Roses): The classes of roses which include both the truly wild species and those garden forms associated with them.
Botanical Family: A group of one or more genera that share a set of underlying features. Family names end in -aceae.
Genus (Genera) (Pl): Group of one or more plants that share a wide range of characteristics.
Species: Group of plants that are capable of producing offspring similar to themselves.
Cultivar: A plant that is a distinct variant of its species.
Judging “Jargon”
Cultural Perfection: A plant exhibiting vigorous healthy growth, with an excellent, general appearance resulting from growing in the correct environment.
Form: The shape that is the true or characteristic form of a flower or plant.
Symmetry: Beauty due to a balanced proportion of parts on a flower or plant.