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Perth & District Horticultural Society
Perth, ON
Robin McIntosh
President
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Linda Bartlett
613-283-8027
PDHS Webmaster
The Perth & District Horticultural Society is affiliated with the Ontario Horticultural Association
Our society falls under District 2 of the OHA
2026 HORTICULTURAL AND DESIGN SHOWS
SHOW SCHEDULE 2026
May Spring Flower Show
| Section I: | Horticultural Specimen |
| Class 1: | African Violet – any colour – single flower – 1 pot |
| Class 2: | Best potted plant in bloom – other than African Violet – 1 pot – named, if possible |
| Class 3: | Best potted foliage plant – 1 pot – named, if possible |
| Class 4: | Succulent, including cacti – 1 pot |
| Class 5: | Single Tulip – 1 stem with no more than two pairs of leaves attached |
| Class 6: | Double Tulip – 1 stem with no more than two pairs of leaves attached |
| Class 7: | Parrot Tulip – 1 stem with no more than two pairs of leaves attached |
| Class 8: | Narcissus/Daffodil – 1 scape, no foliage attached |
| Class 9: | Flowering Branch – no more than 24” above table |
| Class 10: | Any other spring flower from your garden – one stem – named |
| Class 11: | A Tray of Seedlings - at least six in the tray - named |
| Section II: | Design |
| Class 12: | “Whispers of Spring” – A design |
| Class 13: | “Reflections on the Tay” – A water-viewing design |
| Class 14: | “Reflections on the Tay” – A water-viewing design (Novice) |
| Class 15: | Pik n Plunk – Spring flowers and branches arranged in a vase. |
June - OJES Standard Flower Show
| Section I: | Horticultural Specimen |
| Class 1: | Allium – 1 stem |
| Class 2: | Bearded Iris – 1 spike |
| Class 3: | Delphinium - 1 stem |
| Class 4: | Hosta, small-leaved up to 10cm (4”) leaf base to tip, same cultivar – 3 leaves |
| Class 5: | Hosta, large-leaved over 10cm (4”) leaf base to tip, same cultivar – 3 leaves |
| Class 6: | Peony (any kind) – 1 stem |
| Class 7: | Rose (any kind) – 1 stem or spray |
| Class 8: | Siberian Iris – 1 spike |
| Class 9: | Any other perennial – named – 3 stems |
| Class 10: | Any annual named – 3 stems |
| Class 11: | Collection of Herbs – minimum 3 – named |
| Class 12: | Collection of Hosta, any size, one leaf each of 5 different cultivars, in one container |
| Class 13: | Collection of Peonies – at least 3 stems |
| Class 14: | Rhubarb -3 stalks – displayed on a plate |
| Section II: | Design |
| Class 15A: | “Pinky” – a miniature design |
| Class 15B: | "Pinky” – a miniature design (Novice) |
| Class 16: | “So Easy Being Green” – a foliage design |
| Class 17: | “Purple Rain” – a design |
| Class 18: | “Connected” - a satellite design |
| Class 19: | “Welcome Summer” – a bouquet in a vase |
September – September Splendour
| Section I: | Horticultural Specimen |
| Class 1: | Dahlia – one cultivar – 3 stems |
| Class 2: | Echinacea (Coneflower) – one cultivar – 3 stems |
| Class 3: | Gladiolus – any colour – 1 spike |
| Class 4: | Hydrangea – one cultivar – 1 stem |
| Class 5: | Marigold – one cultivar – 3 stems |
| Class 6: | Phlox – one cultivar – 1 stem |
| Class 7: | Rose – hybrid tea – 1 bloom |
| Class 8: | Rose – miniature – 1 bloom or spray |
| Class 9: | Rose – fragrant - in a bowl |
| Class 10: | Rudbeckia – one cultivar – 3 stems |
| Class 11: | Zinnia – one cultivar – 3 stems |
| Class 12: | Any other annual – 3 stems – named, if possible |
| Class 13: | Any other perennial – 3 stems – named |
| Class 14: | Collection of herbs in a glass container(s) – 1 stem of each – minimum 3 kinds – named |
| Class 15: | Garlic – 3 bulbs |
| Section II: | Design |
| Class 16: | Nature’s Contrast – a design using dried and/or fresh plant material |
| Class 17: | Spotlight on Veggies – a design including vegetables |
| Class 18: | Fresh Air – an arrangement of flowers and herbs in a vase |
SHOW RULES
- Exhibitors must be members of the Perth & District Horticultural Society.
- Entries are to be placed prior to 7:00 p.m. when judging takes place.
- Once placed, entries may only be moved by the show steward.
- Only one entry per exhibitor for each Design Class.
- Maximum of two entries per exhibitor for each Horticultural Class providing specimens are of different cultivars.
- All entries in Horticultural classes must have been grown or have been in the possession of the exhibitor for three months.
- Entry tag must be completed and remain with the entry.
- The decision of the judge is final.
- No exhibit will receive a prize, even though it is the only one in the class, unless judged to have sufficient merit.
- No exhibit may be moved before the specified closing time.
- All shows will take place during regular meetings.
HORTICULTURAL AND DESIGN DEFINITIONS
In accordance with Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards, Second Edition OJES 2019
Novice - A person new to entering competitions, or who has not won any first place ribbons in shows.
Horticultural
- Scape: A leafless flower stem arising from the ground. Each scape may carry a number of flower buds depending on the cultivar, e.g., Hemerocallis, Narcissus
- Spike: An upright stem carrying several flowers which are nearly stemless, e.g. Gladiolus, Liatris.
- Spray: The terminal flowering growth of an herbaceous or woody plant carried on one stem. Ideally it would show all stages of development, e.g. flowers in bloom, buds showing colour, green buds and leaves.
- Stem: A main plant structure which supports flowers, leaves, buds, or fruit.
- Narcissus:
“trumpet” – the cup or corona as long or longer than the perianth segments (surrounding petals), e.g. Mount Hood, Spellbinder.
“large cupped” – the cup or corona is more than1/3 but less than equal to the length of the perianth segments, e.g., Ice Follies, Carlton.
“small cupped” – the cup or corona is not more than 1/3 the size of the perianth, Birma, Barrett Browning. - Tulip:
“double” – should be shown approximately 3/4 open.
“parrot” – the form is ragged, artistically-shaped petals, sepals twisted, deeply cut. May be single or double.
“single” – the classic egg and oval form types.
Designs
- Design - A combination of fresh and/or dried plant materials, with or without other objects arranged to create an artistic unit. A design may include container(s), base(s) and/or accessories. The designer uses the elements of design: space, line, form, colour, texture and pattern in the accepted principles of design: balance, rhythm, proportion, scale, contrast and dominance to interpret the theme and/or class and create a design of harmony and distinction.
- Dried Plant Material - Plant material from which the moisture has been removed either naturally or by artificial means.
- Miniature Design - A design with maximum dimensions no more than 12.7 cm (5”) in height, width and depth including any container, base and/or accessories.
- Satellite Design - A design with a main unit and a smaller unit of the same colour, form and/or texture that do not touch but have a connective line between the units that becomes a vital part of the rhythmic pattern of the design.
- Vegetable - Any plant having parts that are used for food. For exhibition purposes, some vegetables are shown as fruit, e.g., rhubarb, some fruit are shown as vegetables, e.g., tomato. It is on the basis of their common table use.
For more definitions and information, please refer to the Ontario Judging & Exhibiting Standards – Second Edition, OJES 2019.
TIPS FOR PREPARING ENTRIES FOR EXHIBITING
The exhibitor wants to show the highest quality of plant material possible, from the time of selecting specimens to placing them in the proper classes. List or mark in the schedule the plants you are growing that will be at the proper stage for showing. Cut flowers and foliage the night before the show or early in the morning. Bring extra ones for back-up in a separate container.
Prepare plant materials for hardening
- Remove lower foliage cleanly. Upper foliage must be attached unless otherwise stated.
- Specimen blooms should not have side buds. In fact, good exhibitors will often disbud weeks before the Show.
- Make a fresh cut, with the end of stems under water, for maximum water intake.
- Place in a wide bucket in warm water for at least three hours, preferably overnight.
- Store in a cool, dark humid, draft-free place.
- Re-cut stems before placing in show containers.
Conditioning: Some cut flowers, foliage and woody materials do not readily absorb water and require further treatment prior to hardening, to prevent wilting during the show.
- Ornamental branches generally benefit from splitting the cut ends. Some also may require removal of the thick outer layer.
- Some cut flowers which exude a white latex or sap benefit from burning the stem ends, e.g., Poppies, Euphorbia.
- Other cut flowers, benefit from placing stem ends in 2" (5cm) of boiling water for a minute or two before placing in cold water, e.g., Dahlias, Roses and Rudbeckia. Protect bloom with a paper collar.
- Some spring bulbs prefer being placed in 2" (5cm) of cold water.
- To prolong the life of a tulip, the small air sac at the very top of the stem where the bloom joins the stem should be pierced with a pin to allow water to flow up to the bloom.
Grooming is essential. Remove evidence of insects, disease, dust, stains, pollen, and any other foreign material from blooms and foliage.
Caution:
- A bud showing colour is considered a bloom.
- Only attached foliage is permitted unless otherwise stated in the schedule.
- Wiring, oiling, spraying and artificial colour are prohibited in the Horticultural Division.
- Check schedule for required number of specimens in the exhibit.