2024 Hosta Show Schedule below is a work zone and is pending approval!

American Hosta Society Accredited Hosta Show

June 18th – 22nd, 2024

2024 Hosta Show Schedule:

Tuesday, June 18           6 pm – 9 pm         Entries received (Divisions I, II, III, IV, V)

Wednesday, June 19      9 am – 12 pm      Entries received (Divisions I, II, III, IV, V)

Wednesday, June 19     2 pm – 7 pm        Entries received for Division VI

Wednesday, June 19      2 pm – 8 pm        Entries received (Divisions I, II, III, IV, V)

Thursday, June 20        8 am – 11 am        Show judging (Division I, II, III, IV)

Thursday, June 20        9 am – 12 pm       Artistic Design Judging (Division VI)

Thursday, June 20        11 am – 1 pm        Show Open (open to the public)

Thursday, June 20        8 pm – 10 pm       Show Open

Friday, June 20             2:30 pm – 5 pm    Show Open (open to the public)

Saturday, June 22        2:30 pm – 4 pm    Al entries, tags, ribbons claimed

 

General Show Rules

  1. Anyone who wishes to exhibit may do so. However, Section and higher awards are limited to AHS members.  Any exhibitor who is not an AHS member and wins a section or higher award will be asked to become an AHS member. If the winner refuses membership, the Show Chair may either present the award to the next qualified entry or leave the award vacant. Persons placing entries in Section XI – Youth Exhibits must be 18 years of age or younger as of the date of the show.
  2. Entries will be received from 6 pm to 9 pm on Tuesday as well as 9 am to 12 pm and 2 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday. Entries received after 8 pm on Wednesday will be placed in a non-competitive exhibit area, without exception.  Judging will be on Thursday, June 20, 2024 beginning at 8 am through 11 am. All entries must remain in place until 2:30 pm Saturday, June 22, 2024. Entries must be removed by 4 pm on Saturday. Entries remaining after 4 pm will be disposed of by the Staging Committee unless other arrangements have been made with the Show Chair. Entry tags, ribbons, and awards must also be claimed from 2:30 pm to 4 pm on Saturday.
  3. Entry tags must be properly completed by the exhibitor.   Incorrect entry tag information will be corrected by the Classification Committee, and entries may be disqualified at the discretion of the Classification Committee.
  4. During judging, only the Show Chair, Show Co-Chair, Judges Chair, Judges, and Clerks are permitted in the immediate judging areas.
  5. Divisions I – Horticulture, II – Container Grown Hosta, III – Trough/Container Gardens Arranged for Effect, and IV – Educational Displays will be judged by panels of three to four American Hosta Society show judges, including one Master Judge per panel. The American Hosta Society Point Scoring System will be used to break a tie in judging major awards. Each panel of judges will be the final authority for each class it judges. All decisions of the judges are final.
  6. Division VI -The National Garden Clubs, Inc. Handbook for Flower Shows will be the reference for judging the designs, by National Garden Club Flower Show judges. See specific Rules below.
  7. Care will be taken, but no responsibility shall be incurred by any person, group or organization for any accidents, damages, injuries, thefts, or omissions of any kind or nature from this show.
  8. All entries designated as registered cultivars and species shall either be listed in the current year’s AHS Hosta Show Classification List or shall have had registration data recorded in an official publication of The American Hosta Society by the date of the show in order to be considered registered for show purposes.
  9. For all show divisions, provided entries score the minimum points, each sub-class (or class if there are no sub-classes or section if there are no classes) is allowed the awarding of only one blue, one red, one yellow, and one white ribbon.  In Division I, Sections I-V and Section XI, each exhibit or group of exhibits of a registered cultivar or species constitutes a separate name sub-class. Each seedling or sport entry in Sections VI-X is a separate sub-class and is eligible for any ribbon. For Section XII, each unregistered named cultivar constitutes a separate name sub-class within each alphabetical letter class.
  10. Division I – Horticulture (cut leaf) Rules: Sections I – V (Registered Cultivars and Species) require ONE leaf per entry. Sections VI – X (Unregistered Sports and Seedlings) require TWO leaves per entry. Sports shall be indicated on the entry tag as “Sport of (Name of Cultivar)”.  Seedlings shall be indicated on the entry tag as “Seedling (Hybridizer’s Identification Number)”.  Section XI (Youth Exhibits) require ONE leaf per entry. Section XII (Unregistered Named Cultivars) require ONE leaf per entry. Bloom scapes are not permitted in this division. Containers will be provided by the Hosta Show. An exhibitor may enter more than one horticultural specimen in a single class provided each entry is of a different variety. Multiple entries by an exhibitor of the same cultivar are not permitted. All entries must have been grown by the exhibitor. Persons placing entries in Section XI (Youth Exhibits) must be 18 years of age or younger as of the date of the show. All leaves entered should be representative of the plant as a whole and taken from plants approaching maturity.
  11. Division II, III, IV and V – please refer to specific Rules below
  12. Entry into Division VI requires preregistration by June 9, 2024, to reserve your space.
    Contact:  Artistic Design Chair Joan Butler at hostawhale@gmail.com

    Hosta Show Divisions

Division I–Horticulture (Cut leaf)

Section I          Giant-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species

Section II         Large-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species

Section III        Medium-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species

Section IV        Small-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species

Section V         Miniature-Leaved Registered Cultivars and Species

Section VI        Giant-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings

Section VII       Large-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings

Section VIII     Medium-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings

Section IX        Small-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings

Section X         Miniature-Leaved Unregistered Sports and Seedlings

Section XI        Youth Exhibits of Registered Cultivars and Species

Entries in Sections I-X are to be displayed using the following Color Classes.

Class 1 – Green (all shades)

Class 2 – Blue (all shades)

Class 3 – Yellow (all shades)

Class 4 – White Margined
.                     a.  Yellow, White, or Chartreuse Center
.                     b.  Green to Blue Center

Class 5 – Yellow Margined
.                    a.  Yellow, White, or Chartreuse Center
.                    b.  Green to Blue Center

Class 6 – Green or Blue Margined
.                    a.  Yellow, White, or Chartreuse
.                    b.  Green to Blue Center (distinct from margin color)

Class 7 – Streaked or Mottled

Class 8 – Others (including early season variants)

Horticulture (Cut leaf) Rules:

      1. Containers will be provided by the convention organization.
      2. Bloom Scapes are not permitted in this division.
      3. Sections I-V (Registered Cultivars and Species), XI (Youth Exhibits), and XII (Unregistered Named Cultivars) require ONE leaf per entry.
      4. Sections VI -X require TWO leaves per entry.
      5. Sports shall be indicated on the entry tag as “Sport of (Name of Cultivar)”
      6. Seedlings shall be indicated on the entry tag as “Seedling (Hybridizer’s Identification Number)”
      7. An exhibitor may enter more than one horticultural specimen in a single class provided the entries are different varieties. Multiple entries of the same cultivar are not permitted.
      8. All entries must be grown by the person placing the entry in show.
      9. Section XI-Youth Exhibitors must be 18 years of age or younger; age must be stated on the show entry tag.
      10. All leaves entered should be representative of the plant as a whole and should be taken from plants approaching maturity.
      11. Division 1: Sections I thru XII – Each exhibitor is limited to a total of 20 Cut Leaf specimens in this group of sections.

Division II–Container-Grown Hosta

Section I          Container Displays Not Exceeding a Total Height or Width of 18 Inches

Section II        Container Displays with Height or Width of Greater than 18 Inches

Container-Grown Hosta Rules:

      1.  Container-grown Hosta must have been grown by the exhibitor and must be established in the containers in which they are grown.
      2. Only registered cultivars or Hosta species may be exhibited in this division, and only one Hosta may be grown in each container. The container and plant must be clean.
      3. The plant should be centered in the container.
      4. Inner containers or container liners are allowed but must not be visible.
      5. Only one type of ground cover material is allowed per exhibit. Ground covers may be any natural non-living material such as bark chips, stones, an indigenous moss of one variety only, etc.

Division III–Trough/Container Gardens Arranged For Effect

Section I           Concrete Composite

Section II         Ceramic, Terra Cotta, Bronze and Other Metals

Section III        Metals Baskets

Section IV        Natural Materials, Stone, Wood, etc.

Trough/Container Gardens Arranged for Effects Rules:

      1. Self-contained trough or container gardens of any size may be entered as arrangements for judging.
      1. Multiple varieties of Hosta and other plant material may be used. Hosta must be a strong focal point of the entry. No artificial plant material is allowed. Plants and containers must be clean. Accessories may be used.
      1. Individual plants need not be identified. However, if the exhibitor would like to identify the material, an identification ledger card to the side of the exhibit is acceptable.

Division IV–Educational Displays

Educational Displays Rules:

      1. Educational displays must pertain to Hosta.
      2. The display area should be 18 square feet or less.

Division V–Non-Competitive Exhibits

Non-Competitive Exhibits Rules:

      1. Entries in this division are not judged.
      2. The exhibit may be a single cut leaf, a Hosta bloom scape, a container grown plant, or any other display deemed to be of interest to the show observers.
      3. The plant material must be predominantly Hosta.
      4. The exhibit must be tastefully presented, and the material must be in good condition.
      5. The Show Chair may refuse placement of any exhibit that does not meet these requirements.

Division VI – Artistic Design – “That She Blows!”

(Preregistration required by June 9, 2024)

Class 1. Humpback Whale

The humpback whale gets its common name from the distinctive hump on its back. Humpbacks often jump out of the water, slapping the surface with their pectoral fins or tails. They have one of the longest migrations of any mammal on the planet, traveling thousands of miles every year. They live in all oceans around the world.

Create a design, Freedom of Style, with a sense of movement. Accessories permitted.

Staged on a grey table 40” high with a 2 1/2’ diameter top.

Class 2. Blue Whale

Blue whales are the largest animals ever to have lived on the planet. They can grow to 100 feet in length and weigh as much as 200 tons. They are generally solitary or gather in small groups and are found in all oceans except the Arctic.

A Creative Design featuring blue hosta.

Staged on a grey pedestal 3’ high with a 16” square top.

Class 3. Narwhal

This species of whale is known as “the unicorn of the sea” in reference to the single nine-foot long, straight tooth (or tusk) that protrudes from the mouth of males. Narwhals live in small pods of two to ten individuals, and are only found in the Arctic Ocean.

Create a design, Freedom of Style, featuring yellow hosta. Accessories permitted.

Staged on a grey pedestal 3’ high with a 16” square top.

Class 4. Orca

The orca, or killer whale, is a toothed whale with a black-and-white patterned body. These apex predators are highly social and have sophisticated vocal patterns that are often specific to a particular group and passed along from generation to generation. They are found in diverse marine environments, from the Arctic to the Antarctic to tropical seas.

Create a design, Freedom of Style, featuring variegated hosta. Accessories permitted.

(This is a Novice class, for entrants who have not previously received a first-place ribbon in the Design Division in an NGC show.)

Staged on a grey pedestal 3’ high with a 16” square top.

Class 5. Beluga

The beluga, or white whale, is one of the smallest species of whale. Its wide range of vocal sounds has earned it the title of “canary of the sea”. Belugas are extremely sociable animals that live, hunt, and migrate together in pods in the Arctic Ocean and nearby waterways.

A Petite Design featuring small hosta. Maximum 10” x 10” x 10” including the container.

Staged on ¼ of a table 6’L x 18”W x 38”H with a white covering.

Artistic Design Rules:

    1. Hosta leaves must be the predominant foliage in the design. Designer may use other plant material, fresh or dried. Only dried plant material may be treated (dyed, painted, etc.) No artificial flowers, fruit, or foliage may be used.
    2. All classes are limited to 4 arrangements in each of the 5 classes.
    3. An exhibitor may enter one entry per class. Plant material need not be grown by the exhibitor but the design work must be the work of the exhibitor.
    4. All designs are staged in front of a dark blue wall. Underlay may be used but should not exceed dimensions set in the class rules.
    5. The property of the exhibitor should be inconspicuously marked with the owner’s name and address. All reasonable care will be taken, but the show committee will not be responsible for any loss or damage.
    6. Entries will be received Wednesday June 19th from 2:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
    7. Removal: Saturday June 22nd from 2:30 pm to 4:00 pm.
    8. The Design Chair will provide additional class definitions, rules and requirements, and exhibition instructions upon registration.
    9. To pre-register, contact Joan Butler, hostawhale@gmail.com

Standard Awards For Show

The following awards are to be offered at all local and National Convention Shows.

Best of Show – Horticulture – Awarded to the best species or registered cultivar entry in Division I – Horticulture and is selected from the section winners in Sections I-V and XI. 

Best Seedling or Sport Award – Awarded to the best seedling or sport entry in Division I – Horticulture and is selected from the section winners in Sections VI-X.

 Best Artistic Design Award – Awarded to the best entry in Division VI – Artistic Design. This award is chosen from the Best of Class winners in the division.

Sweepstakes Award – Awarded to the exhibitor who wins the largest number of blue ribbons in Division I – Horticulture. (In case of a tie, count red ribbons, then yellow ribbons if necessary to break the tie.)

Grand Awards – Awarded to the best entries in Division II – Container Grown Hosta, Division III – Trough/Container Gardens Arranged for Effect, and Division IV – Educational Displays.  Entries must have scored at least 95 points. For Divisions II and III, Grand Awards will be chosen from the Section Award winners.

Section Awards – Awarded to the Best of Section winners in divisions containing sections. All section award winners must have scored at least 95 points.

Class Awards – Awarded to Best of Class winners in divisions containing classes. All class award winners must have scored at least 95 points.

 

AHS uses the Standard System for awarding ribbons as follows:

First Place Blue Ribbons –         Entries must score 90 or more points to receive this award.

Second Place Red Ribbons –     Entries must score 85 or more points to receive this award.

Third Place Yellow Ribbons –  Entries must score 80 or more points to receive this award.

Fourth Place White Ribbons – Entries must score 75 or more points to receive this award.

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AHS Point Scales For Judging Hosta

Division I, Sections I-V, Registered Cultivars and Species, and Section XI, Youth
Form                          15
Size                             15
Color and Pattern    25
Texture                      15
Substance                 15
Condition and
.    Grooming            15
TOTAL POINTS   100

Division I, Sections VI-X, Unregistered Sports and Seedlings
Distinction               50
Form and Size         10
Color and Pattern   10
Texture                     10
Substance                 10
Condition and
.    Grooming            10
TOTAL POINTS    100

Division I, Section XII, Unregistered Named Hosta Cultivars
Form                         15
Size                           15
Color and Pattern  25
Texture                     15
Substance                15
Condition and
.    Grooming           15
TOTAL POINTS   100

Division II  Container Grown Hosta
Form                        15
Size                           15
Color and Pattern 25
Texture                   10
Substance               10
Condition and
.    Grooming          15
Container               10
TOTAL POINTS  100

Division III  Trough/Container Gardens Arranged For Effect
Variety                      20
Condition                 30
Arrangement           30
Container Relative
to Arrangement       20
TOTAL POINTS    100

Division IV  Educational Displays
Educational Value                                                50
Theme, Originality, Materials Used, Staging
Arrangement, Attractiveness, Neatness          50
TOTAL POINTS                                                  100

Division V  Non-competitive Exhibits
(not judged)

Division VI  Artistic Design
Conformance             20
Design                         42
Artistic Concept        12
Expression                 10
Distinction                 16
TOTAL POINTS      100

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Hosta Show Committee

Show Chair:                       Jackie Adams

Classification Chair:        Sarah DaPra

Clerk Chair:                      Jeanette Kohlbeck

Design Chair:                   Joan Butler

Judges Chair:                   Cathy Felton

Placement Chair:            Judith Artley

Registration-Exhibitor
Assistance Chair:           John Smead

Staging/
Dismantling Chair:         The Hosta Show Committee

Tabulation Chair:           Kim Larsen

 

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Although anyone can enter the Hosta Show, we encourage non-members to consider joining AHS and/or its regional and local societies. All Head Table Awards are limited to members of the AHS.

Membership Information

The American Hosta Society
https://www.americanhostasociety.org/

 Membership in The American Hosta Society offers participation in all national activities including a National Convention and three issues of The Hosta Journal, each with nearly 100 pages, many interesting and informative articles, and dozens of color and black-and-white pictures which detail all national, regional, and local Hosta Society activities. Dues are $30 individual and $34 family membership per year (U.S.).  Membership is on a calendar year basis. Send inquiries regarding membership to:

Barry R. Ankney, AHS Membership Secretary
1104 Oxford Court
Oakbrook Terrace, IL 60181-5249