The Plainfield Garden Club
Member of The Garden Club of America
Presents
Rooted In Thyme
A Zone IV Flower Show
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Thursday, May 10, 2012
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Open to the public at no charge
The Plainfield Country Club, Edison, New Jersey
The purpose of a flower show is threefold: to set standards of artistic and horticultural excellence; to broaden knowledge of horticulture, flower arrangement, conservation, and other related areas; and to share the beauty of a show with fellow club members and with the public.
The Garden Club of America Flower Show and Judging Guide, 2009 Revised Edition
The Purpose of The Garden Club of America
is to stimulate the knowledge
and love of gardening; to share
the advantage of association by means of educational meetings,
conferences, correspondence and publications; and to restore, improve and protect the quality of the environment through educational programs and action in the fields of conservation and civic improvement.
The Purpose of the Plainfield Garden Club
is to promote the knowledge and appreciation of
horticulture and the conservation of our
natural resources,
to stimulate and interest in public plantings
in the Plainfield area and to help maintain them,
to keep its members and the public informed on
governmental matters which concern our natural resources,
to sponsor and to participate in public shows and displays
which encourage the appreciation of good horticultural
practices and procedures, and
to support the purpose of the Garden Club of America.
Timetable for Exhibitors
November 9, 2011 Horticulture – Six month ownership deadline
February 1, 2012 Photography registration deadline
February 9, 2012 Horticulture – Three month ownership deadline
March 9, 2012 Horticulture – Two month ownership deadline
April 1, 2012 Flower Arrangement registration deadline
April 1, 2012 Photography entry deadline
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
7:00 am – 9:00 am
All Horticulture and Flower Arrangements accepted and passed.
9:00 am Entries closed
9:15 am Judges briefing
9:30 am Judging begins
Noon Judges Luncheon and Flower Show Evaluation
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Show open to the public
Thursday, May 10, 2012
9:00am – 9:30am Refreshing and maintenance of exhibits
10:00 am – 1:00 pm Show open to the public
1:00 pm Show closes and all entries must be removed
FLOWER SHOW COMMITTEE
Chairman: Kathy Andrews (908) 822-0002,
Club President: Mandy Zachariades (908) 654-0982,
Division Chairmen
Division I Flower Arranging
Susan Lorentzen (908) 789-4867,
Division II Horticulture
Phyllis Alexander (908) 756-8907,
Sally Booth (908) 232-1954,
Division III Photography
Marty Dyke (908) 654-5174,
Diana Madsen (908) 233-6211,
Cell (908) 930-9402
Division IV Conservation
Kathy Andrews (908) 232-0278,
Awards:
Mary Kent (908) 232-1566,
Tucker Trimble (908) 654-5455,
Treasurer:
Lorraine Ciemniecki (732) 449-4565,
GCA RULES
1. Please carefully read and follow GCA flower show rules, general information and division guidelines. All rules as stated in The Garden Club of America Flower Show and Judging Guide, 2009 Revised Edition, shall apply.
2. All plant material must be correctly identified with the botanical and common names, if possible. The RHS Index of Garden Plants and The AHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants are the accepted references and will be available at the show. The Royal Horticultural Society Horticultural Database is available online at www.rhs.org.uk/rhsplantfinder/plantfinder.asp
3. The Garden Club of America expects all exhibitors to be aware of the need to promote conservation of endangered and threatened plants. Plants collected in the wild and listed by the New Jersey Natural Heritage Program may not be exhibited in any flower show sponsored by a GCA club. Cultivated plant material listed by New Jersey’s Natural Heritage Program may be exhibited if accompanied by a typed card stating that it has not been collected from the wild and giving information concerning its cultural requirements and methods of propagation. Natural Heritage Program lists will be available before and during the show from the division chairmen and are available online at http://plants.usda.gov
4. Plant material showing evidence of insects or disease must be removed immediately from the exhibition area.
5. All entries in the flower arrangement and horticulture divisions must include fresh and/or dried plant material. Fresh plant material must be in water or conditioned in such a way as to remain in pristine form while on exhibition. An entry not maintained in show condition may have its award removed.
6. Locally invasive plants, diseased plant material, artificial plant material, live animals (including fish), taxidermy, natural birds’ nests, and protected sea life, are not permitted.
7. Classes may be judged using the merit judging system at the discretion of the judges, with the permission of the division or flower show chairman.
GENERAL INFORMATION
1. Entries are open to all GCA club members of Zone IV, including provisionals and professionals in their disciplines. Each Zone IV club is responsible for 2 Flower Arrangement entries, 2 Photography entries and one Horticulture entry in Class 14.
2. Online registration is required for all Flower Arrangement and Photography entries. Registration content forms are provided at the back of the schedule. Classes will be filled in the order the online registration is received.
3. While The Garden Club of America, the Plainfield Garden Club, and The Plainfield Country Club will exercise due caution in safeguarding exhibits, responsibility for damage, loss or personal injury cannot be assumed.
4. Any clarification or change in the rules, as originally stated in the schedule, shall be communicated promptly in writing by the division chairman to all exhibitors in the class and, at the show, to the judges and to the passing committees.
5. An entry card must accompany each entry. Entry cards will be available on line at www.Plainfieldgardenclub.org, at the show and upon request from the entry or division chairmen, in advance of the show. Information required on the entry card must be completed in blue or black ink.
6. The passing committee must pass each entry before an exhibitor may leave the show area. The passing committee reserves the right to refuse any entry that does not conform to the schedule. The exhibitor has the option of correcting the entry, if time permits. If not corrected, the entry cannot be judged, but may remain in place, marked “For Exhibition Only”. The judges may not disqualify any entry passed by the passing committee, unless evidence of insect infestation or disease is identified.
7. Once an entry is passed, the exhibitor(s) must immediately leave the exhibition area. A passed entry may not be touched again until after judging and then only to carry out necessary maintenance.
8. Only participating judges, clerks, flower show committee chairmen and division chairmen will be allowed on the floor during judging.
9. All containers and accessories must be inconspicuously labeled with the exhibitor’s name.
10. All exhibits must remain in place and in show condition until fifteen minutes following the show closing time.
11. A novice is an exhibitor who has not won a first place ribbon, or a novice award in
the division entered at a GCA or GCA Major Flower Show. Only an individual
novice exhibitor is eligible to receive the Sandra Baylor Novice Award or the GCA
Novice Award. A novice exhibitor will be identified by a red dot placed on the top
of the entry card, following the initial judging.
12. A statement of intent is optional and must be submitted at the time of
passing. The statement must be no more than 25 words, typed or printed in
waterproof ink on a 4 x 6 white, unlined card.
DIVISION I
Flower Arrangement Guidelines
1. Please carefully read and follow the GCA rules, general information and timetable for exhibitors.
2. An exhibitor is permitted only one entry per class. The exhibitor(s) under whose name(s) it has been registered must arrange the entry. All participants must be listed. Only listed exhibitors and show personnel may be on the show floor at the time of entry.
3. If forced to withdraw, an exhibitor must find a substitute from her club and notify the entries chairman and class consultant unless there is a waiting list for the class.
4. Mechanics should not be visible unless they are an integral part of the design.
5. At GCA Flower Shows, arrangements may be executed off-site and brought to the show completed.
6. Anything not prohibited in the GCA rules, flower arrangement division guidelines, or individual class descriptions is permitted.
7. Although permitted, the use of cut fruits and vegetables is discouraged and should be undertaken only with proper treatment to prevent spoilage.
8. Judging will be based on the principles of design: balance, contrast, dominance, proportion, rhythm and scale; and the elements of design: light, space, line, form, color, texture, pattern and size. Creativity is important, as is distinction, conformance to and interpretation of the class and schedule.
9. Accessories are permitted, unless otherwise stated in the class description.
DIVISION I
Flower Arrangement Classes
Class 1 Top O’ The Morning 6 Entries
A design appropriate for breakfast displayed on a tray, provided by the exhibitor. Tray not to exceed 24 inches in length. Exhibit will be displayed on a 30 inch high table covered with an off-white floor length tablecloth. Viewed from the front.
Class consultant: Nancy Webb (908) 654-9798,
Class 2 High Noon 6 Entries
A design staged on an off-white pedestal 40 inches high with a 12 inch square top. Design may not exceed 36 inches in width or depth. No height restriction. Viewed from 3 sides.
Class consultant: Lorraine Ciemniecki (732) 449-4565,
Class 3 It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere 6 Entries
A design displayed on a cocktail table 48 inches high with a 30 inch round top. Table will be covered with an off-white floor length tablecloth. Viewed from 4 sides.
Class consultant: Pam O’Toole (908) 232-7103,
Class 4 Midnight 6 Entries
A design staged on an off-white pedestal 40 inches high with a 10 inch square top. Design may not exceed 30 inches in width or depth. No height restriction. Viewed from 4 sides.
Class consultant: Susan Lorentzen (908) 789-4867,
DIVISION II
Horticulture Guidelines
1. Please carefully read and follow the GCA rules, general information and timetable for exhibitors.
2. Entries must have been owned and grown by the exhibitor for a minimum of three months, unless otherwise stated in the schedule. Entries eligible for the Catherine Beattie Medal (blue dot) and/or the Clarissa Willemsen Horticulture Propagation Award (green dot) must have been in the possession of the exhibitor for at least six months and will be identified by a colored dot on the entry card.
3. An exhibitor may submit one entry per class.
4. All entries propagated by the exhibitor must be so identified with the method and relevant date(s) of propagation on the entry card. Propagation information is required for Class 15 and will be written on a 4 x 6 white card.
5. Compatible saucers are required for pots with drainage holes. Discrete staking permitted where necessary.
6. Classes may be subdivided and entries moved and/or reclassified at the discretion of
the horticulture committee and/or the judges.
7. Containers are measured at the diameter or the diagonal of the inside rim.
8. One key card (diagram or plant list) is required when multiple species or cultivars are exhibited in the same container. Key card must be a 4" x 6", white, unlined card and completed in black waterproof ink or typed. A 4" x 6" photograph with identifying numbers may be used.
9. Terracotta clay pots are preferred. Other options include stone-like (Hypertufa), terracotta colored plastic pots, bonsai containers and wire baskets. Disguised double potting and top dressing are permitted; top dressing must not float when watered.
10. Exhibitors are responsible for all containers and wedging materials. Only clear, non-colored, non-etched containers are allowed for cuttings. Buxus and taxus are examples of acceptable wedging material.
11. The committee will water the exhibits if instructed to do so in writing.
12. There are few truly “Black Plants”, and most black plants are simply dark in color. A suggested reference: “Black Plants” 75 Striking Choices for the Garden,
by Paul Bonine, Timber Press 2009. This book will be available at the show. A Google search of black plants and black flowers is also recommended.
DIVISION II
Horticulture Classes
Class 1 Rooted In Thyme
Three different varieties of thyme displayed in a clay or clay-colored container, not to exceed 10 inches in diameter. Plants to be owned for a minimum of 2 months. Key card Required.
Class consultant: Sally Booth (908) 232-1954,
Classes 2-3 Time After Time
Cut stems displayed in a clear, non-colored, non-etched glass container supplied by the exhibitor. Stem not to exceed 24 inches. Foliage permitted if attached to stem. Key card required.
2. A collection of three flowering perennial stems each from a different species.
3. One stem of your best flowering perennial.
Class consultant: Mary Kent (908) 232-1566,
Classes 4-6 Spring Awakening
One blooming stem of a bulb, corm, rhizome or tuber not to exceed 24 inches in length, displayed in a clear, non-colored, non-etched container supplied by the exhibitor.
4. Iris
5. Allium
6. Other
Class consultant: Sally Booth (908) 232-1954,
Classes 7-10 The Buds of May
One blooming branch not to exceed 24 inches in length, displayed in a clear, non-colored, non-etched container supplied by the exhibitor.
7. Syringa
8. Rhododendron
9. Viburnum
10. Other
Class consultant: Mandy Zachariades (908) 654-0982,
Classes 11-12 Eclipse
A single “black” plant grown primarily for foliage exhibited in a clay or clay-colored container with an inside diameter not to exceed 12 inches. Please see Horticulture Guideline #12.
11. Plants with solid foliage
12. Plants with variegated foliage.
Class consultant: Sally Booth (908) 232-1954,
Class 13 The Witching Hour
A single plant, in bloom, grown primarily for its “black” flowers exhibited in a clay or clay-colored container with an inside diameter not to exceed 8 inches.
Please see Horticulture Guideline #12.