Show Guide for Novices: Flower Classes
These interpretations are based on guidance within; The RHS Horticultural Show Handbook and The NFWI On With The Show publication. Both can be referenced at the Show Recorder’s table. Be aware the HIHS Rules for Exhibitors take precedence.
Alpines
Alpine “Any plant suitable for a rock garden or alpine house”.
Judges of Alpines generally consider:
| Suitability | Size, mature plant typical of species at its best. Hardy to survive average winter in frost free house. Healthy growth with no deformities, damage, pest or disease. |
| Rarity | Recognition of difficulty to grow. |
| In Character | Many open blooms in a plant grown for its flowers. Tight fresh growth for a cushion type. Bright leaves for a plant grown for colour of foliage. |
With an alpine garden in addition to the plants Judges are assessing overall appearance and naturalness.
Cacti and Succulents
Judges of cacti and succulents generally consider:
| Condition | Free from defects, spines all present and correct. |
| Maturity | Age, and evidence of flowering |
| Cultivation | Free from pests, diseases or defective ‘bloom’. |
| Species | Difficulty in cultivation. Presentation: Well balanced plant and container. |
With an cacti garden in addition to the plants Judges are assessing overall appearance and naturalness.
Chrysanthemum
The National Chrysanthemum Society Classifications
| Judging Criteria | Common Faults |
|---|---|
| Form | Blooms lacking in depth, centres underdeveloped. |
| Size | Blooms undersized. |
| Freshness | Florets tired, blooms damaged, open (daisy) centres |
| Colour | Poor for cultivar or faded at the base. |
| Staging | Packing visible and untidy, poor bloom spacing. |
| Foliage | Diseased, damaged or absence of foliage. |
Cut Flowers
Judges of cut flower entries generally consider these elements, listed in descending order of importance;
- Condition; Unblemished flowers on firm stems with proportionate foliage.
- Form; Shape, size and development of flowers.
- Colour
- Uniformity and size
- Neat and correct identification label.
Daffodil Classes
Classes in the HIHS Spring Show Schedule stipulate various daffodil classifications. The RHS have an illustrated guide to Daffodil Classifications.
The judges will use the RHS Guidance for Daffodil Judges.
How to Growing Daffodils For Showing in pdf format.
(Links to follow)
Dahlia Classes
Classes in the HIHS Summer Show Schedule stipulate various Dahlia classifications.
The National Dahlia Classifications.
What are the judges looking for?
Blooms fresh and clean, all florets intact, firm and without blemish or defect, colours clear and well defined.
Guidance on what judges look for as an ideal bloom.
Guidance on what judges don’t want to see. .
Showing: Dahlia Bloom Sizes Classifications
Fushsia
Major considerations when judging fuchsias are:
A vigorous, symmetrical, pest and disease free entry.
Abundance of unblemished fresh blooms true to variety.
The foliage colour bright, healthy and clean.
To a lesser extent:
Pot, clean, undamaged and of size in proportion to plant.
Variety identified.
Growing and showing fuschias an expert’s advice.
Fushsia
Major considerations when judging fuchsias are:
A vigorous, symmetrical, pest and disease free entry.
Abundance of unblemished fresh blooms true to variety.
The foliage colour bright, healthy and clean.
To a lesser extent:
Pot, clean, undamaged and of size in proportion to plant.
Variety identified.
Gladiolus
The major considerations when judging gladiolus are:
Erect spike.
Fresh unblemished blooms and foliage.
Strong stem, tapering base to top.
12 to 20 flowers and buds.
Flowers, evenly spaced, facing frontward, hiding stem.
One third each; full flower, buds in colour, green buds.
These are the most common faults acting against an entry:
Spike curved or with drooping tip.
Evidence of flower bract removal.
Spike short, ill-balanced or crowded.
Flowers of irregular form.
Flowers below size or not true to colour for cultivar.
Hanging Baskets
Judges of Hanging Baskets generally consider;
| Judging criteria | Comments |
|---|---|
| Initial impact | Sympathetic bright bold colours, textures and scent. Harmonious Co-ordinated Presentation: Balance, symmetry, complete cover and overflowing. |
| Quality | Health, vigour, plants suitability and free of weather damage. |
| Longevity | Potential for prolonged continuation of display. |
Orchids
Judges of Orchids are looking for:
Flowers that are complete, of fine shape and well ballanced.
Colours, contrast and markings typical for the genus.
Flower numbers up to or exceeding expectations for genus.
Health, vigour and free of pest and disease damage.
Pseudobulbs of good quality.
Overal good number of growths, new leads and spikes.
Preparing Your Orchid For The Show an expert’s advice.
Pot Plants – Flowering, fruiting and foliage
Judges of flowering or fruiting pot plant plants generally consider these elements listed in descending order of importance;
- Shape, size and condition of plant and pot.
- Quality and quantity of blooms or fruit.
- Colour.
- Condition and uniformity of Foliage.
- Relative challenge to cultivate.
- Neat and correct identification label.
Judges of foliage pot plants generally consider these
elements, listed in descending order of importance:
- Shape, size and condition of plant and pot.
- Decorative appeal.
- Presentation.
- Relative challenge to cultivate.
- Neat and correct identification label.
Rose
Judges are looking for:
- Appearance sparkling clean and fresh.
- Blooms in perfect stage of good size for cultivar.
- Outer petals regularly surrounding a central formation.
- Petals firm, smooth and good texture.
- True colour bright and glowing for cultivar.
- Straight stem of thickness and length for bloom size.
- Foliage fresh, clean, undamaged and good in colour.
- Presentation balanced overall and to container.
A complete absence of defects.The Show Schedule in many classes calls for “Large Flowered”.
This is a general term interpreted by the judge as requiring a rose bloom of a good average size for a well grown plant of that particular cultivar.
Link to open pdf Tips For Cutting Roses to stay fresh.
Link to open pdf Tips for Exhibiting Roses.
Link to advice on Rose Classifications.
Link to advice for Novices.
Sweet Peas
Judges are looking for:
An abundance of well spaced blooms on a strong straight stem.
Large unblemished blooms each fully open and fresh.
Bloom with erect standards, rigid wings and keel closed.
Colour bold and true to cultivar with a silken sheen.
Display staged to best enhance and compliment exhibits.
Visit The National Sweet Pea Society website
for a wealth of advice and information.
On line growing advice from Sweet Pea Champion Roger Parsons.
On line cultivation advice by Sumerset Sweet Pea Co.
Tulip
With Tulips judges are looking for:
| Judging Criteria | Comments |
|---|---|
| Condition | In their most perfect phase, stems long, stiff and strong.
Well supporting flowers, attached foliage undamaged and in fine condition. |
| Blooms | of good colour, unblemished, of good and uniform size and form. |
To prevent the head of a tulip from drooping use a pin to make a tiny hole in the stem just beneath the flower.
Viola
Judges are looking for:
- Equal unblemished blooms each fully open and fresh.
- Well defined eye, even and bright in colour.
- Clear and distinct self colour.
- If margined flowers a contrasting edge colour.
- If fancy, striped or suffused a a pleasing/striking contrast.