Preliminary Schedule
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc.
And
Judges’ Council
Present
“My Garden Club Year”
A Standard Flower Show
May 26, 2010 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Open to GCFM Members
Free Admission
Mansfield Holiday Inn
Mansfield, Massachusetts 02048
Member of
National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Renee Blaschke, NGC President
The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts
Linda Jean Smith, President
New England Region
Kathy Thomas, Director
Division I – Horticulture
“In My Garden I Grow…”
Section A –Native Flowering Shrubs
Flowering Branches (not to exceed 30” in length)
Eligible for the Arboreal Award
Class 1 Rhodendrum
Class 2 Leucothoe
Class 3 Weigela
Class 4 Exhibitor’s choice (each exhibitor is limited to one entry in this class)
Section B –Dancing Bulbs
Bulbs, Corms, Tubers and Swollen Roots
Eligible for One Award of Merit
Class 5 Iris
Class 6 Hyacinthus
Class 7 Tulip
Class 8 Exhibitor’s choice (each exhibitor is limited to one entry in this class)
Section C – Lots of Flowers
Flowering Perennials
Eligible for One Award of Merit
Class 9 Aquilegia
Class 10 Baptistia
Class 11 Paeonia
Class 12 Exhibitor’s Choice (each exhibitor is limited to one entry in this class)
Section D – Perennials Grown for Foliage
Eligible for One Award of Merit
Class 13 Heuchera
Class 14 Ornamental Grasses
Class 15 Exhibitor’s Choice (each exhibitor is limited to one entry in this class, No hosta will be accepted for this class)
HORTICULTURE DIVISION RULES
1. All specimens must be fresh and grown by the exhibitor.
2. Cut specimens should not have any foliage below the water line. Maximum stem length is 30 inches.
3. The committee will provide all staging and wedging materials.
4. Entry Cards, available at the Exhibitor’s Meeting and at the show, should be completed in advance, if possible. All horticulture specimens must be labeled with the correct botanical name (genus, species, and variety/cultivar) to be eligible for a Top Exhibitor Award. Cards should be filled out in water-proof ink, pencil or with labels.
5. Exhibitor may make more than one entry per class or sub-class, if each is a different genus, species, variety, cultivar, type, size or color, except in Exhibitor’s Choice classes where each exhibitor is limited to one entry.
6. All entries must be checked and approved by Classification Chairman for conformity before placement by Committee.
7. The Classification Committee may delete or subdivide any class.
8. Horticulture entries will be judged by the appropriate scale of points as found on pages 297-302 of the Handbook for Flower Shows 2007 revised edition.
HORTICULTURE AWARDS
Award of Horticultural Excellence---A Division award may be given if merited to the highest scoring exhibit with a score of 95 or more in the entire Horticultural Division. This award is a rosette of green, orange and blue ribbons.
Arboreal Award---One Section award for cut shrubs or trees may be given, if merited, to an exhibit scoring 95 or more in Section A. The award consists of a rosette of green ribbons in two shades.
Award of Merit---One Section Award may be given if merited, to an exhibit scoring 95 or more in each of Sections B, C and D of Division II. The award consists of a rosette of orange ribbons.
Division II
Special Exhibits
Section A
Artistic Crafts
Eligible for the Artistic Crafts Awards
Class 1 4 entries
“My Summer Vacation”
A picture constructed of dried plant material and exhibited in a frame 5”x 7” to be hung on a white lattice structure.
Class 2 4 entries
“For the Garden Party”
A hat created using dried and/or fresh plant material to be hung on a white lattice structure.
Class 3
“ I Love Working in the Garden” 4 entries
A glove or pair of gloves decorated using plant material to be hung on a white lattice structure.
Section B Things I Should Know
Educational Exhibits
Not Eligible for Judging
Exhibit One – “Putting on a Flower Show”
Ten steps to a club flower show Sandra Sears & Betty Sanders
Exhibit Two – “Hosta”
The ABCs of Hostas Shirley Minott
Special Exhibit Division Rules
1. The committee will provide all staging for Artistic Crafts exhibits.
2. Some plant material must be used in every exhibit. An entry card listing all plant material (common names) must be presented to and initialed by the Classification Chairman before the exhibitor leaves the show area.
3. Special exhibits will be judged by the scale of points found in the Handbook for Flower Shows, revised 2007, page 304.
Special Exhibit Awards
Artistic Crafts Award – A Section award may be awarded, if merited, to an exhibit scoring 95 or more in the section. Exhibit must use some plant material. Section A is eligible for this award of navy ribbons with gold lettering.
Division III---Design
Section A
This year I …
Class 1 … Took Classes 4 entries
A design inspired by one of the four NGC schools: Environmental Studies, Flower Show, Garden Study and Landscape Design to be staged on a table 29” high in a space 23” deep and 3 ft wide. Designers may choose the school they represent on a first come basis.
Class 2 … Served on My Club Board 4 entries
A reflective design to be staged on a table 29” high in a space 23” deep and 3 ft wide.
Class 3 …Worked on a Historic Preservation project 4 entries
A Topiary design using only fresh plant material staged on a table 29” high in a space 23” deep and 3 ft wide.
Section B
This summer I will…
Class 4 …Visit Public Gardens 4 entries
A Parallel Design to be staged on a table 29” high in a space 23” deep and 3 ft wide. Designers choose and identify garden visited.
Class 5 …Be a Passionate Plant Shopper 4 entries
A Mono-Botanical design based on a single genus to be staged on a table 29” high in a space 23” deep and 3 ft wide. Designer may choose and must identify genus used.
Class 6 …Be Inspired by My Mother’s Garden 4 entries
A line mass design to be staged on a table 29” high in a space 23” deep and 3 ft wide.
Section C
Club Projects
(Each design to be the work of one person)
Eligible for the Petite Award
Class 7 “Golden Days” 4 entries
A small creative design inspired by a daffodil not to exceed 8” x 8” x 8”. To be staged in a space 12” x 12”x12.” Miniature daffodils may be included in the design but are not required.
Class 8 “Beautifying Blight” 4 entries
A small transparency design not to exceed 8” x8” x8” to be staged in a space 12” x 12”x12”.
Class 9 “Plant It Pink” 4 entries
Designer’s choice of style not to exceed 8” x 8” x 8” to be staged in a space 12” x 12”x12”. Each design must contain at least one pink element.
DESIGN DIVISION RULES
1. Entries are open to any member of National Garden Clubs Inc.
2. All tables are covered and skirted with white cloths. Backboards 20” x 30” are required in classes 1-6 and underlays will be allowed in all classes .
3. Designs are to be created by one Exhibitor and placed by the Exhibitor. Designs may be completed at home and placed during entry hours. Plant material need not have been grown by exhibitor.
4. If a designer is unable to fulfill the commitment, it is the designer’s responsibility to find a replacement.
5. Design must be passed by the Classification Chairman before leaving the design area.
6. An entry card clearly listing all plant material by common name must be given to and initialed by the Classification Chairman before the exhibitor leaves the show area.
7. Some plant material must be used in every exhibit. The following are not permitted: artificial plant material, cut fruits and vegetables, menu food, treating of fresh plant material in any way.
8. An exhibitor may enter as many classes as desired, but only one exhibit per class.
9. Designs are entered May 25 between 7:00 and 8:30 p.m. and on May 26 between 7:00 and 8:30 a.m. Judging will begin at 9 a.m. The decision of the judges is final. Awards will be given only if merited.
10. Design entries will be judged by the scale of Points found on page 303 of The Handbook for Flower Shows 2007 revised. The scale of points is as follows:
For Designs in Sections A, B & C
Conformance (to schedule requirements) 20
Design (Elements, Principles) 42
Artistic Concept (selection and organization) 12
Expression (Interpretation of class by exhibitor 10
Distinction (marked superiority in all respects) 16
Total 100
DESIGN AWARDS
Award of Design Excellence
A Division award may be given if merited to the highest scoring design in the entire Design Division provided all general and design award requirements are met. Winning exhibit may have also won a Top Exhibitor Award. This award is a rosette of gold ribbons.
Designer’s Choice Award
A section award may be given if merited to an exhibit which scores 95 or more. The exhibitor has complete freedom to choose plant material. Division I, Classes 1, 2 and 4 are eligible for this award consisting of a rosette of purple ribbons.
Tricolor Award
A section award may be given if merited to an exhibit which scores 95 or more. All plant material must be fresh. Division I, classes 3, 5 and 6 are eligible for this award consisting of a rosette of red, blue and yellow ribbons.
GENERAL RULES for all divisions
1. This is a Standard Flower Show staged according to the rules of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. using as its authority The Handbook for Flower Shows, 2007 Edition and any changes published in The National Gardener.
2. Entries are open to all members of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. An Exhibitors Meeting date TBD. To enter the design division, contact Ruth Gorman at 508-435-5500.
3. Each entry is to be the work of one exhibitor. Entries may be placed on either Tuesday May 25 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. or Wednesday, May 26, 2010 from 7:00 AM - 8:30 AM. No horticulture will be accepted after 8:00 AM. Only Committee members and exhibitors are allowed in show area during entry time.
4. Judging will begin at 9 AM. Only required show personnel are permitted in the show area during judging. The decision of the judges is final. Awards are given only if merited.
5. The Flower Show is open free to attendees of the GCFM Spring Conference from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
6. Exhibits will be removed at the close of the Flower Show on May 26, 2010 at 2:15 p.m.. Exhibitors who are unable to pick up their exhibits should make arrangements with the Staging Committee at entry time.
7. There must be emphasis on fresh plant material. Some plant material must be used in every exhibit. The following are not permitted in any Division: artificial plant material, the treating of fresh plant material, cut fruits or vegetables, menu food.
8. Wild collected plants of species listed by the Massachusetts Natural Heritage program may not be used in Standard Flower Shows of the GCFMA or its member clubs. Cultivated plant material appearing on the list may be used if the exhibitor provides a typed card noting that it has not been wild collected.
9. Flower Show Committee will endeavor to protect all exhibits but cannot be responsible for loss or damage to Exhibitor’s property.
Awards
The Standard system of Awards will be used. One first (blue), one second (red ribbon), one third (yellow ribbon) and one or more honorable mention (white ribbon) will be awarded in each sub-class where merited. First place exhibits must score of 90 or above . Second place exhibits must score 85 or above.
Third place exhibits must score 80 or above. Honorable Mention must score of 75 or above.
Top Exhibitor awards must be blue ribbon winners scoring 95 or more.
Flower Show Committee
Flower Show Chairman: Sandra Sears 978-774-9145
Schedule Chairman: Betty Sanders 508-359-9453
Staging Chairman: Ginger King 781-383-9554
Design Entries Chairman: Ruth Gorman 508-435-5500
Design Classification: Kathleen Coyle 508-295-2857
Judges Chairman: Yvonne Capella 508-947-5806
Clerks Chairman: Sue Spicer 978-256-4658
Computer Support: Kathy Hawes 781-784-3351
Horticulture Chairman: Joan Butler 508-439-2739
Horticultural Classification: Myrna Ross 781-237-9556
Photography: Cheryl Collins 508-339-7191
Signage and Printing Chairman: Ann Marie Carlson 508-760-1414
Hospitality: Yvonne Capella 508-947-5806
Advisor: Georgia McHugh
