American Rhododendron Society-New York Chapter

Flower Show Entry Rules

Planting Fields Arboretum, Burns Horticultural Center

For the Early Flower Show entries must be delivered to Show personnel with completed Entry Cards between 10 and 11 AM. 

For the May Flower show entries must be delivered to Show personnel with completed Entry Cards between 10 and 11 am.  Entries submitted after 11 am will be displayed on the Conversation Table.

Please come early if you intend to complete Entry Cards at the Conference Center.

1.           The exhibitor shall be a member of the American Rhododendron Society.

2.           All entries shall have been grown in exhibitor’s garden no less than six months.  Forced plants and greenhouse varieties are to be placed on the conversation table.

3.           Only one entry of a cultivar or clone may be made in any one class by each exhibitor, but more than one variety may be entered in each class.  Only one entry per           exhibitor is allowed in each of the four classes for “Members Exhibiting First Time in ARS Shows”.

4.           Each elepidote rhododendron shall consist of a simple bud truss.

5.           Lepidote rhododendrons, evergreen & deciduous azaleas may be shown as either a single truss or spray measuring not more than 12”x14” in height or width above the top of the vase.  Entries not within this size range will be disqualified.

6.           No foreign material may be inserted into the neck of the vase to support or prop a spray or truss.

7.           TO SIMPLIFY AND EXPEDITE THE CLASSIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE OF THE VAST MAJORITY OF ENTRIES FOR THE SHOWS, THE PROCEDURES ADOPTED LAST YEAR WILL AGAIN BE FOLLOWED, ELIMINATING THE NEED FOR EXHIBITORS TO INDICATE THE CLASS ON THE ENTRY CARD, (EXCEPT FOR CLASS 33, THE HYBRIDIZERS CUP).  IT WILL ONLY BE NECESSARY TO INDICATE THE NAME OR PARENTAGE OF THE ENTRY AND THE EXHIBITOR’S NAME AND ADDRESS, WHICH, AS IN THE PAST, MUST BE ENTERED TWICE ON THE ENTRY CARD.  DO NOT ENTER A CLASS NUMBER ON THE CARD.  PENCIL SHOULD BE USED.  IF THE NAME OF THE ENTRY IS NOT KNOWN, ENTER UNKNOWN ON THE ENTRY CARD. 

8.           No artificial shine may be used on foliage on any exhibit.  Entries should be groomed.  Removal of dead pips is permitted.  Trimming of leaves is not permitted.

9.           Exhibitors shall leave entries on display until close of show.  At that time entries may be claimed by exhibitor or his/her representative.  If exhibitor wishes to pick up his/her entries after show, he/she must advise Show Chairman of same by noon of show day.  He/She must arrive 15 minutes before close of show to claim entries.  If at all possible, it would be appreciated if exhibitors would pick up ribbons at close of show. 

10.          Judging will start promptly.  All exhibitors, except members of Show Committee will be barred from show area from cut-off time until judging is complete.

11.          AWARDS-First, Second, Third place ribbons will be awarded in each division where applicable and merited.  Trophies will be awarded in as many categories as merited.

12.          Violation of above rules will result in disqualification of entries.

HYBRIDIZERS CUP

              A special award sponsored by the New York Chapter for best new American Hybrid Rhododendron.  To be eligible the entry must have been raised from the seedling stage by the exhibitor.  A plant remains eligible until it is either registered, commercially introduced, or has previously won the award.  Identification of entries in this class must, at a minimum, include the name of one parent and a full description of the other parent.  Ideally, full identification of both parents should be provided.  A perpetual trophy from the New York Chapter will be awarded the winner.  The trophy must be returned to the Flower Show Chair not later than ten days prior to the next annual flower show.

NO LIST OF SHOW CLASSES OR GUIDE ARE PROVIDED SINCE IT IS NO LONGER NECESSARY FOR EXHIBITORS TO DESIGNATE CLASS ON THE ENTRY CARD.