^{Helpful Hints For Winning Blue Ribbons}

^{A flower show is an opportunity to share your love of flowers with the public. We have arranged for your talents to shine in both horticulture and arrangements by attempting to include every plant that might be in bloom in June.}

^{Read the show schedule carefully as it is the “law” of the show. Everyone, including the judge, follows the same rules and has the same guidelines - literally.}

^{In reading the show schedule, highlight the day and mark your calendar. Read all the classes and the entire show schedule at your leisure. Tentatively mark classes in which you find some interest. Think what you might have in your garden and what you might start from seed or what you might buy to plant to have an entry in the show. Then pick up the schedule a few days after the first reading and read it again.}

^{Locating the perfect container's) can be a treasurer hunt. Keeping in mind the arrangement classes that interest you the most, check out the usual places such as basement, garage, etc. - nothing there - try visiting an antique shop, Big Lots, TJ Max, etc. Often one can locate the perfect container at a minimal cost. Others find just what they want while walking in the woods. Flowers and foliage to complete the design normally fall into place once the container has been selected.}

^{Arranging on site with a general idea of what you feel the finished piece will look like is quite permissible - you may consider doing a dry run at home to make sure your idea works.}

^{Entry tags have two places where you fill in your name and address. Be sure to fill in both places. Refer to the sample in the inside cover. Tags will be available after May 1, 2001. See section on horticulture and arrangement rules about the tags.}

^{Horticulture entries should be displayed in non-colored glass containers. Presentation of your specimen is important, spending a bit of time cleaning the container could well make a difference when a judge must choose between two equal specimens. A diseased plant will be removed from the show as a courtesy to other plants and exhibitors.}

^{Conditioning your plants and flowers is very important. You may try cutting a specimen early morning or late evening before the show to see which time is best. Generally flowers require overnight conditioning to be their best - but occasionally flowers are at their best cut just before the show. This is a learning experience and getting well acquainted with a particular specimen can be part of the fun!}

^{Cut your flower or foliage stem longer than you think it will be exhibited. Read the rules; use a ruler. Check the size or length.}

^{Educating others is one of the goals of this flower show - so we ask that you include the botanical name of your plants on the entry tags. If you select a Stella d’Oro Daylily, the label should read Hemerocallis “Stella d’Oro.” A Lollipop Lily should read Lilium “Lollipop.” Those who admire your exhibit will know what to look for when planning their flowerbeds.}

^{Sharing and education are what make flower shows so much fun and rewarding. Keep in mind the judge is as much a part of the fun as the joy you will receive from creating a beautiful arrangement and displaying your prize specimens. Invite your friends to share the day with you and your garden club friends. The White Garden Inn is a beautiful location for such an event - we are grateful to the Linda and John Alexander for sharing their establishment with us.}