DEPARTMENT J

2026 FLOWER SHOW

GENERAL RULES:

• The flower show will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. ENTRY FORMS AND FEES MUST BE ENTERED AT THE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY BY 6:00 PM, SUNDAY, AUGUST 30, 2026.
• The show is open to amateur gardeners only, commercial gardeners are prohibited.
• Fee will be $1.00 per entry.
• All entries must be in place by 12:00 PM on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Late entries will not be accepted. Judging will start at 1:00 PM.
• All entries must remain until 3:00 PM on Monday, September 7, 2026. The show committee will decide when an exhibit becomes unsightly and will remove the specimen.
• All exhibits will be judged by a person(s) accredited by the Ohio Association of Garden Clubs (OAGC) and follow OAGC rules for exhibiting. Per general Richwood Fair rules, no person shall interfere with the judge or awarding committee. The decision of the judge(s) is final.
• Management assumes no responsibility for loss, damage, or accidents.

HORTICULTURE DIVISION RULES:

• An exhibitor may enter no more than three entries in any class, providing each is a different color/named variety.
• Specimens MUST HAVE BEEN GROWN BY THE EXHIBITOR for at least 3 months.
• Potted plants must be exhibited in the container in which it was grown. Unless stated otherwise, each pot exhibited must contain only one plant.
• Unless specified in a particular class, potted plant containers must be no more than 14 inches (measured inside the edges of the container).
• For cut specimens, unless otherwise noted, exhibitors must furnish their own clear glass container (typically a vase) with water, size suitable for the exhibit. Wedging material may be used.
• Fern stand will be provided for class 103 if needed.
• Class 117 will be hung outside at the front entrance to the building.
• All horticultural specimens should have a variety (botanical/common) name written on the front of the entry tag, if possible. Lack of a name will not bar the specimen; however, it may affect the award placement. Entries with multiple plants should list all plants on the entry tag or separate 3×5 index card.
• Exhibit must contain the number of blooms, sprays or stems specified in the schedule. In classes calling for several blooms, select flowers in uniform size and color.
• Entries must be exhibited in a class specified for the species before selecting “any other” class.
• Entries not conforming to the schedule will be disqualified.
• Any specimen showing signs of disease or pest infestation will be removed from the show.
• The staging committee reserves the right to combine, subdivide or delete a class, if necessary.

ARTISTIC DIVISION RULES:

• Each exhibitor is allowed only one entry in each class, and it must be the work of that exhibitor.
• Each exhibit will be given a 30-inch-wide space for classes 121-127. The flower show committee will furnish a continuous black backdrop and table covering. An exhibitor may bring their own background provided it will fit within the display area provided (determined by the number of entries). Exhibitors may not attach their background to the provided backdrop. Entries for class 128 will be displayed on provided stands.
• Designers are categorized into two levels, Experienced and Novice. Experienced Designers are those who consistently win blue ribbons in flower shows, is an OAGC Accredited Judge, or professionally trained floral designer. Novice Designers are those who are beginners or amateurs with little to no training or experience in flower shows. Each exhibitor determines their own level of ability. Novice Designers may enter any class in Section 11 and 12. Experienced Designers can only enter classes in Section 11.
• Plant material for artistic designs may be secured from any source. Artificial plant material is not permitted.
• Painted or artificially colored fresh plant material is not permitted.
• Accessories, mats, backgrounds, dried or painted dried materials may be used in all classes, unless otherwise specified.

PREMIUMS TO BE PAID AS FOLLOWS:

FOR SPECIMENS

1^ST – $3.00       2^ND – $2.00      3^RD – $1.00

FOR ARRANGEMENTS:

1^ST – $4.00       2^ND – $3.00      3^RD – $2.00

SPECIAL AWARDS:

Best of Show – Roses

Best of Show – Gladiolus

Best of Show – Annuals

Best of Show – Everlasting

Best of Show – Sunflowers

Best of Show – Biennials/Perennials

Best of Show – Special Horticulture

Best of Show – Hosta

Best of Show – Herbs

Best of Show – Potted Plants

Best of Show – Artistic, Experienced

Best of Show – Artistic, Novice

Judge’s Award of Distinction (one each for horticulture and designs)

Sweepstakes (determined by point system)

HORTICULTURE DIVISION

SECTION 1 – ROSES

1. Hybrid Tea, any variety, any color, one bloom, disbudded with foliage attached
2. Hybrid Tea, full-blown rose, one bloom, disbudded with foliage attached
3. Floribunda or Polyantha Rose, any variety, one spray, not disbudded with foliage attached
4. Grandiflora Rose, any variety, naturally grown, foliage attached
5. Shrub Rose, any variety, one spray, not disbudded, with foliage attached
6. Miniature Rose, any variety, one bloom, disbudded, with foliage attached
7. Miniature Rose, any variety, one spray, not disbudded with foliage attached

SECTION 2 – GLADIOLUS

8. Orange, salmon, smokies, tan or brown, one spike
9. Red, pink, rose, lavender or violet, one spike
10. White, cream, yellow or green, one spike
11. Miniature, any color, one spike
12. Collection of three, any variety, any size, displayed as a unit (within a basket, on a tray, etc.) with one flower per vase

SECTION 3 – ANNUALS (foliage attached unless otherwise stated)

13. Dahlia, any variety over 8”, one bloom, disbudded
14. Dahlia, any variety 4” to 8”, one bloom, disbudded
15. Dahlia, any variety, 2” to under 4”, one bloom, disbudded
16. Dahlia, any variety, pompons or micro under 2”, 3 blooms, disbudded
17. Gerbera Daisy, one bloom, any color or variety (foliage not required)
18. Lantana, one spray, any variety
19. Marigold, carnation flowered, 2” to 5”, orange, one bloom disbudded
20. Marigold, carnation flowered, 2” to 5”, yellow, one bloom disbudded
21. Marigold, petite type, orange or orange blend, one spray, not disbudded
22. Marigold, petite type, yellow or yellow blend, one spray, not disbudded
23. Marigold, single petals, one spray, not disbudded
24. Zinnia, dahlia flowered, red, one bloom, disbudded
25. Zinnia, dahlia flowered, pink, one bloom, disbudded
26. Zinnia, dahlia flowered, yellow, one bloom, disbudded
27. Zinnia, dahlia flowered, orange, one bloom, disbudded
28. Zinnia, dahlia flowered, purple, one bloom, disbudded
29. Zinnia, dahlia flowered, any other color, one bloom, disbudded
30. Zinnia, cactus flowered, any color, one bloom, disbudded
31. Zinnia, any other form, any color, one bloom, disbudded
32. Dwarf Zinnia, one bloom, disbudded
33. Dwarf Zinnia, 3 blooms, disbudded
34. Any other round form annual not listed above, one bloom, disbudded
35. Any spike form annual not listed above, one spike
36. Any other spray form annual not listed above, one spray, not disbudded
37. Caladium, any variety, one stem

 

SECTION 4 – EVERLASTING (foliage attached)

38. Celosia, cockscomb, crested, red or red velvet, one stem, disbudded
39. Celosia, cockscomb, crested, any other color, one stem, disbudded
40. Celosia, plumed, shades of red, one spray, disbudded only below the rim of the container
41. Celosia, plumed, any other color, one spray, disbudded only below the rim of the container
42. Statice, shades of blue or purple, one spray, disbudded
43. Statice, white, one spray, disbudded
44. Statice, any other color, one spray, disbudded
45. Gomphrena, pink or purple, one stem
46. Gomphrena, white, one stem
47. Gomphrena, any other color, one stem
48. Straw flower, shade of white, one stem
49. Straw flower, any other color, one stem
50. Any other flower grown for drying, one stem, spike or spray
51. Dried flower, one stem, any variety, in a clear glass container without water

SECTION 5 – SUNFLOWERS (foliage attached for fresh cut specimens)

52. Sunflower seed head over 6” on a white paper plate, color petals and disc florets removed
53. Fresh cut in water, shades of red, one stem
54. Fresh cut in water, shades of bronze, one stem
55. Fresh cut in water, shades of orange, one stem
56. Fresh cut in water, shades of yellow, one stem
57. Fresh cut in water, shades of white, one stem

SECTION 6 – BIENNIALS OR PERENNIALS (foliage attached)

58. Delphinium, one spike
59. Dianthus, one bloom, disbudded
60. Echinacea (Cone Flower), one bloom, disbudded
61. Liatris, one spike, disbudded
62. Mum, one spray, not disbudded
63. Sedum in full bloom, one spray, any color or variety
64. Sedum not in bloom, one stem, any color or variety
65. Rudbeckia (Black-eye Susan), single stem, any variety
66. Shasta Daisy, one bloom, disbudded
67. Any round form perennial or biennial not listed above, one bloom, disbudded
68. Any spray form perennial or biennial not listed above, one spray, not disbudded
69. Any spike form perennial or biennial not listed above, one spike
70. Shrub, flowering, one stem
71. Shrub, foliage only, one stem
72. Shrub, with berries, one stem
73. Ornamental grass, any named variety, one stem not to exceed 36”

SECTION 7 – SPECIAL HORTICULTURE CLASSES (annual or perennial)

74. Introduction of any new 2026 flower, one bloom, spray, or stem
75. Freak of nature (flower that developed in an unusual way), any variety, one bloom, spray or stem, foliage attached
76. Red, White and Blue collection of 3 to 5 different flowers, displayed as a unit (within a basket, on a tray, etc.) with one flower per vase, must have at least one of each color

SECTION 8 – HOSTAS

77. Hosta, blue variety, one leaf
78. Hosta, yellow to gold variety, one leaf
79. Hosta, green variety, one leaf
80. Hosta, yellow center variety, one leaf
81. Hosta, white center variety, one leaf
82. Hosta, cream to gold margin variety, one leaf
83. Hosta, white margin variety, one leaf
84. Miniature Hosta (plant is less than 6”), any color, any variety, one leaf
85. Hosta, giant leave variety, one leaf

 

SECTION 9 – HERBS – for potted classes, container must be 14 inches or less (see Horticulture Rule #4)

86. Potted herb, may have single or multiple plants of the same variety
87. Potted herbs, multiple plants of different varieties
88. Dill, one stem
89. Lavender, one stem
90. Mint, one stem
91. Parsley, one stem
92. Sage, one stem
93. Rosemary, one stem
94. Thyme, one stem
95. Basil, one stem
96. Marjoram, one stem
97. Oregano, one stem
98. Cilantro, one stem
99. Any other annual herb variety not listed above, one stem
100. Any other perennial herb variety not listed above, one stem
101. Dried herb, one stem, any variety, in a clear glass container without water
102. Herb collection of 3 to 5 different varieties, displayed as a unit (within a basket, on a tray, etc.) with one stem per vase

SECTION 10 – POTTED PLANTS – Unless specified in a particular class, potted plant containers must be no more than 14 inches (see Horticulture Rule #4)

103. Fern, any variety (must be a true fern)
104. Cactus, may have single or multiple plants of the same named variety
105. Cactus planter, must have more than one plant, must have different varieties
106. Succulent, may have single or multiple plants of the same named variety
107. Succulent planter, must have more than one plant, must have different varieties
108. Tuberous root begonia
109. Any other begonia
110. Geranium, may have single or multiple plants of the same variety
111. Geranium planter, must have more than one plant, must be different varieties
112. Coleus, may have single or multiple plants of the same variety
113. Coleus planter, must have more than one plant, must be different varieties
114. Any flowering plant not listed above, same variety, may have more than one plant
115. Any foliage plant not listed above, same variety, may have more than one plant
116. Potted vegetable, any variety, may have more than one plant
117. Hanging basket, may have single or multiple plants and may be of same or different varieties
118. Terrarium, may contain multiple plants of multiple varieties, accessories are permitted, artificial plant material prohibited. If applicable, the lid will be removed for judging only.
119. Miniature garden, container not to exceed 24 inches wide, may have more than one plant, accessories are permitted, artificial plant material prohibited
120. Fairy garden, container not to exceed 24 inches wide, must have at least one fairy figurine displayed, may have more than one plant, other accessories are permitted, artificial plant material prohibited

ARTISTIC DIVISION – THEME:  250 Years Through Time

If an exhibitor has questions about how to create a specific type of design, contact Jan Moody (call or text 740-361-3293) or visit www.oagc.org.

SECTION 11 – EXPERIENCED OR NOVICE DESIGNERS

121. Industrial Era – Illuminary Design (three-dimensional creative design incorporating light(s) as one of the components); lights must be battery operated
122. Wild West – Design using dried flowers and foliage; design type decided by the designer (must indicate on a 3×5 card which type of design was made)
123. Pearl Harbor – Ikebana Design showing water (flower arrangement in the Japanese manner)
124. Victory Gardening – Creative Botanic Design (three-dimensional creative arrangement using multiple parts of one plant)
125. Modern Era – Design showing motion (movement is implied with the parts of the design looking like it is moving but isn’t; for example, branches live or dried in a curved way would imply the movement of a breeze)

SECTION 12 – NOVICE DESIGNERS

126. Colonial Era – Traditional Mass Design (design which brings many flowers and foliage into an overall shape, usually a triangle); no painted dry materials
127. Space Race – Reflective Design (three-dimensional creative design that contains some components that must reflect, give back images, and involve the viewer using that reflection)
128. America’s Birthday – Miniature Design (small-scale design using the same characteristics as full-size designs but not to exceed 5 inches in any direction); if a traditional design type is used, no painted dried material

OAGC members only: Potted plant in a boot or shoe. May have single or multiple plants of the same named variety. Judge’s criteria for selecting the winner will be best overall plant (based on potted plant criteria) and the plants complements the boot or shoe. No entry fee, prize to be determined by Progressive Buds Garden Club.