NGC Flower Shows

Here are some of the questions received from both exhibitors and judges concerning the Handbook for Flower Shows. Click here to send questions. 



Q: The HB p 80 states that the following are permitted in the Design Division: Fresh fruits, vegetables, and non-perishable food products. All cut fruits and vegetables must be sealed with an unobtrusive substance. What is considered a non-perishable food product?



A: A non-perishable food item is something that could be displayed for a long time without spoiling, i.e. would look the same from the time that it was entered in the flower show until the time the show ends.



Q: Regarding a Collection of flowering annuals--if there are distinct different colors of a flowering annual such as a cosmos named sunshine mix with 3 colors, are you able to enter only 1 cosmos as 1 of the 5 specimens or can you enter all 3 colors and then 2 other flowering annuals?



A: Acceptable examples of collections of flowering annuals with a minimum of 5 different specimens HB p 60:

• 5 different specimens of zinnias in five different colors 

• Any flowering annual

Thus, you can enter 3 different colors of cosmos and then 2 other flowering annuals as a collection of flowering annuals.



Q: This statement (HB p 80, #7) has caused some confusion: Landscapes, scenes or anything representing an actual item of clothing, person, animal, etc. are NOT considered acceptable in Design Division. (Refer to Botanical Arts to exhibit these items). Some judges and exhibitors are interpreting that statement to mean that NO accessories or featured objects are permitted.



A: Landscapes or scenes are considered a Container-Grown Miniature Garden and are exhibited in Botanical Horticulture (HB p 92).



However, the confusion appears to be the second part of the statement “anything representing an actual item of clothing, person, animal, etc.” The Handbook clearly states that accessories (a subordinate object, e.g. figurine, rock, etc.) and featured objects (an object that is dominant in a design) as well as manufactured or crafted simulations of birds, animals, etc. are permitted (HB p 81 Non-Plant Material Permitted in the Design Division).



The key word in this statement is representing—here’s an example:

Class title, Hats Off to Graduates

NOT PERMITTED – Design consists solely of a “representation” of a mortarboard cap made of plant material—an Artistic Craft, not a design

PERMITTED – Designer creates a design consisting of school colors with an “actual” mortarboard cap as an accessory or featured object



Q: A designer has asked whether she can enter a design in the Novice Class in an upcoming Flower Show as she has not won a blue in Design but has won a blue ribbon for Horticulture in a previous NGC Flower Show. The schedule reads: Novice Class open to Designers seeking their first blue ribbon in an NGC flower show.



A: The statement as it currently reads is open to interpretation using the word “designers” as it seems to imply a designer who has never won a blue ribbon in the Design Division. But it could also mean anyone who has never won a blue ribbon in an NGC Flower Show in any division.



The HB pg 148 defines Novice as: May be interpreted as one who enters competitively for the first time, one who has never won a blue ribbon in an NGC Flower Show, or some other designation as determined by the schedule. As the HB allows several interpretations, the schedule may need to be more specific on who is considered a Novice to eliminate any confusion.

Mentoring Program

This is a club friendly mentoring program that is designed to promote flower shows with support for garden clubs who have not had a flower show in the last 5 years. The Judges Council provides a mentor judge who encourages clubs by providing information and organizational support on schedule writing, awards, and procedures and guides the club through the flower show process.

The enthusiasm of the mentor is an important factor in encouraging clubs to participate in the program. Mentors will provide documents that include sample schedules, the correct way to write awards in the schedule, and a list of supplies needed for awards to help clubs craft their own show with their own schedule. Mentors will help clubs determine what types of designs or horticulture or other divisions they may want to include. An inexperienced club might be encouraged to do a small standard show while a club with more experience could benefit from a refresher.

Judges Councils should recruit mentors who have experience in chairing flower shows and writing schedules. They should be willing to spend time with the club in helping determine their individual needs and the challenges they face. The goal is to make the process simple for the club members to show and share their abilities. It is an opportunity for judges who need exhibiting and judging credits to involve their clubs by sharing knowledge.

Clubs who participate will be recognized with a certificate signed by the NGC President. To find out more information or to participate in this program, please contact the Flower Show Schools Chairman.