Creative Mixed Planters

Horticulture entrants are cordially invited to a convivial gathering to review the 2025 horticulture competitions.

Get Growing!
Wednesday, March 19, 2025
5:30 pm
The Breakers Greenhouses
53 Coggeshall Avenue, Newport

This is a session to ask questions, register for classes and learn how to enter. Everyone is welcome.

RSVP by March 14, 2025, to Events@NewportMansions.org

Please read the Horticulture Division Rules & Guidelines.

Delivery & Passing: Wednesday, June 18, 1-4 pm & Thursday, June 19, 8-10 am

The scale of Points for Division I: Creative Mixed Planters unless otherwise specified:

Design a miniature garden in a planter bowl provided by The Newport Flower Show, to be displayed on the back lawn of Rosecliff (full-sun exposure). Up to 12 entries, pre-registration required, photo key card required. Planters will be provided to entrants upon registration and themes chosen on a first-come, first-served basis. Accessories allowed.

Fairy gardens combine whimsy with horticultural knowledge and good design. Elements must be in relative scale to each other and plantings must predominate over accessories.

This class will be divided into three sections:
• Newport Cottages
• Newport Beaches
• Newport Leisure Activities

Limited to 12 entries (garden clubs only) Pre-registration required.

Provide a botanical coiffure for a classical, goddess head planter provided by The Newport Flower Show. One plant only; can be of any kind. Planters will be provided to entrants upon registration. Will be displayed in indirect light under Rosecliff’s rear canopy. Accessories are not permitted.

The choice of plant could change the character of this classical goddess from “mild” to “wild.” Flowering? Trailing?

Limited to 6 entries. Pre-registration required.

Plant a mixed container to include at least one rose of any kind, and pair it with plant(s) that complement the rose aesthetically and horticulturally. Accessories are not permitted. No height restrictions on completed planter.

While roses often command their own gardens, like at Rosecliff, they can be paired with other plants in a container. Annuals, perennials, tropicals, foliage – consider what makes the rose the “wow” of the design.

Limited to 4 entries. Pre-registration required.

Complement the gleaming whiteness of the newly refurbished Rosecliff with a mixed annual container featuring white flowers only. Container is the exhibitor’s choice. No height restrictions. To be displayed around Rosecliff’s rear terrace fountain, in full sun.

Theresa Fair Oelrichs hosted the event of the 1904 season at Rosecliff, ‘Bal Blanc.’ Everything, from the costumes to the floral decorations, was white and inspired by the French court at Versailles.

Limited to 6 entries. Pre-registration required.

Kokedama is a centuries-old Japanese form of garden art that is closely tied to the practice of bonsai. In Japanese, “koke” means moss, and “dama” means ball. Kokedama uses a moss ball as the container for a plant of any kind that is usually suspended. Instructional videos can be found online: e.g., gardenbeast.com/kokedama.

A Kokedama planting of the exhibitor’s choice. Plant size not to exceed 12” in width and 24” in height. The diameter of Kokedama moss ball should not exceed 7”. Must include Statement of Intent (25 words or less). The Kokedama in this class will be suspended in the air with a string. Additional string should accompany the entry for the purpose of staging. Accessories not permitted. Minimum ownership of one month before The Newport Flower Show.

Limited to 8 entries. Pre-registration required.

Plant a mixed container to include at least three edibles: fruit, vegetable, herb or flower. Accessories are not permitted. No height restrictions on completed planter.

More than ever, gardeners are turning to homegrown produce. A mixed container of edible fruits, vegetables and flowers can be productive and ornamental.

Limited to 4 entries. Pre-registration required.

You need not be a Rhode Island native to enter this competition – but your plants should be! Up to eight professionals from the green industry will be invited to plant a large, rolled rim planter, provided by The Newport Flower Show, with Rhode Island native plants. A comprehensive list can be found at: https://web.uri.edu/rinativeplants.

The planting should incorporate any number of woody and herbaceous plants, combined for matching site requirements and aesthetic appeal. The entry will require a planting diagram and a statement of intent, focused on how the planting combination could be used in the landscape; for instance, “drought tolerant meadow planting for full sun,” “wetland edge planting for shade,” “native planting for bird habitat,” etc. Cultivars and varieties of native plants are allowed. Copies of your planting plan will be made available to the visiting public.

Professional estate gardeners can still be found in Newport and environs. All have their tried-and-true plant favorites that make for excellent flower show entries!

Limited to 8 entries. Invitation only.