Click here for 2025 printable fall show SCHEDULE
Wheeley Hall, on Lyall Street Behind Esquimalt United Church, 500 Admirals Road
Wheeley Hall will be open for set-up on Friday from 6:30pm to 7:30pm. Exhibits may be placed Friday night after set-up is complete up to 8pm and on Saturday from 8:30am to 9:45am.
Late entries will not be accepted. Judging starts at 10:00 am.
Entry Cards must accompany entries on show tables. They will be available at Friday night set-up or at the door on Saturday at 8:30 am. THEY MUST bear the EXHIBITOR’S NAME.
Doors will be open to the public from 1 pm to 3 pm.
ADMISSION fee of $5 includes door prize ticket and refreshments.
Trophies will be awarded at 2:30 pm. Door prizes will be drawn frequently from 1 – 2:30 pm. 50:50 draw at 2:45pm.
VRGC is not responsible for the loss or destruction of any exhibit
Show Chair: Carol Ann Elliott
Contact -250-858-9568 or maca@telus.net
Classes NOTE: CLASS NUMBERS ARE NOT CONSECUTIVE
A. JUNIOR DIVISION – Open to children 13 years and under. Exhibitors to prepare entries without assistance. Please state age on entry form.
1. NOVELTY CREATURES made of vegetables and/or fruit and other plant material.
2. MINIATURE GARDEN not over 12″ x 18″.
3. FLORAL EXHIBIT in exhibitor’s homemade container.
4. SUNFLOWER, stalk cut to 10″.
5. CACTUS OR HOUSE PLANT cared for by exhibitor.
6. VEGETABLE, 1 only, grown and cared for by exhibitor.
B. DECORATIVE DIVISION – Designer’s Choice.
10. Miniature exhibit (not over 5″ in any dimension).
11. Petite exhibit – over 5” but not more than 9” in any dimension.
12. “Autumn Magic”.
13. Dried Arrangement, maximum 24” in any dimension.
14. Decorative Foliage, 3 or more varieties, 1 or 2 cuts each, balanced and pleasing to the eye.
15. Collection of perennials – 3 or more varieties, 1 or 2 cuts each, own foliage, balanced and pleasing to the eye.
C. POTTED PLANT DIVISION – The tabling of diseased or pest infested plant material is not permitted and such plant material will be removed*not to exceed 2ft in any dimension*
20. Flowering outdoor plant(s) of the same variety other than Fuchsia.
21. Flowering Fuchsia.
22. Hanging flower basket.
23. African violet
24. Orchid
25. Fern
26. Cacti
27. Container of Succulents – one variety
28. Container of Succulents – 2 or more varieties
29. Any other indoor plant – flowering, excluding those in 23 to 28.
30. Any other indoor plant – foliage, excluding those in 23 to 28, (no buds or blossoms showing colour is permitted).
31. Decorative outdoor plant/s in a container
32. Pelargonium Regal (Geraniums), i.e. ‘Martha Washington’.
33. Pelargonium Zonal.
34. Pelargonium, Ivy-leafed.
D. ANNUAL FLOWERS DIVISION
40. Bowl of Petunias.
41. Dwarf Marigolds (under 1½”), with attached foliage, 3 stems.
42. Intermediate Marigolds, (1½” to 3″), with attached foliage, 3 stems.
43. Large Marigolds, (over 3″), with attached foliage, 3 stems.
44. Cosmos, 3 stems.
45. Bowl of Sweet Peas, not over 24 stems.
46. Bowl of Nasturtiums, with own foliage.
47. Zinnias, 3 blooms.
48. Nicotiana, 3 stems.
49. Asters, 3 blooms.
50. Antirrhinum (Snapdragon), 3 stems.
51. Any Everlasting type flower, 3 stems.
52. Sunflower, 1 stem.
53. Any other annual, 3 stems.
E. PERENNIAL & BULBOUS FLOWERS DIVISION
60. Lillium, (not Daylily), 1 stem.
61. Dianthus, including Carnations, 3 stems.
62. Gloriosa Daisy, 3 blooms.
63. Japanese Anemone, 3 stems.
64. Gaillardia, 3 stems.
65. Helenium, 3 stems.
66. Michaelmas Daisy, 1 stem.
67. Ornamental grass, 3 cut stems
68. Ornamental grass, 3 cut stems with seed heads
69. Any bulbous flower except those listed in other classes, 1 stem.
70. Geranium, Hardy, 3 stems.
71. Tuberous Begonia, 1 bloom floating with foliage, solid colour
72. Tuberous Begonia, 1 bloom floating with foliage, bi-colour.
73. Gladiolus, 1 spike.
74. Cyclamen, 1 stem.
75. Any other bloom, 1 stem.
F. ROSE DIVISION – Unless otherwise stated, roses are to be displayed with a minimum of one set of attached composite leaves.
80. Bud in own vase, 1 with petals beginning to unfurl, less than ¼ open, but not green, with attached foliage.
81. Specimen Bloom, with attached foliage, (any colour, one stem, one bloom).
82. Hybrid Tea, with attached foliage, 1 spray.
83. Floribunda or Polyantha, with attached foliage, 1 spray.
84. Grandiflora, multiple blooms, with attached foliage, 1 stem.
85. David Austin English Rose, with attached foliage, 1 spray (MUST BE NAMED).
86. Shrub rose with attached foliage, 1 spray
87. Climber/Rambler, with attached foliage, 1 spray.
88. Miniature, with attached foliage, 1 spray.
89. Miniature, 3 blooms in a container.
90. One floating rose – in own brandy snifter (judged for fragrance) no foliage.
91. Bowl of roses, with own foliage, any type or types, at least 9 stems, own bowl.
G. SHRUB, TREE and VINE DIVISION
100. Heather Bowl
101. Shrub or Tree, 1 branch with flowers and/or berries.
102. Vine, 1 stem, with flowers.
103. Hydrangea macrophylla, 1 stem, any colour.
104. Hydrangea arborescens, 1stem.
105. Hydrangea “Lacecap”, 1 stem.
H. DAHLIA & CHRYSANTHEMUM DIVISION – 1 bloom with at least one pair of attached leaves, no buds.
110. Dahlia, any type, over 10″ in diameter.
111. Dahlia, decorative, formal/informal.
112. Dahlia, cactus/semi cactus.
113. Dahlia, ball.
114. Dahlia, pompom, up to 2″ in diameter.
115. Dahlia, water lily.
116. Dahlia, laciniated.
117. Dahlia, peony, anemone, collarette, single, mignon single or orchid.
118. Dahlia, novelty, excluding varieties eligible for 110 to 117.
119. Chrysanthemum, Shasta Daisy, 3 blooms.
120. Chrysanthemum, any other, 1 bloom.
I. VEGETABLE DIVISION – Please refer to VRGC Guide for Entrants to the Mini Show, 2016 for tips on how best to exhibit your fruits and vegetables.
130. Beans, bush, stems on, 6 pods.
131. Beans, Scarlet Runner, stems on, 6 pods.
132. Beans, other climbing, stems on, 6 pods.
133. Beets, 3
134. Broccoli, sprouting, 1 head.
135. Cabbage, green/red/purple, 1 head.
136. Carrots, 3 carrots.
137. Cucumber, Long English, or any other variety, 1 only.
138. Cucumbers, pickling 3 only.
139. Garlic, 3 bulbs, ripened with neck attached.
140. Kale, 1 leaf in water.
141. Leeks, 1 only.
142. Lettuce, “head” with roots, in water, own transparent container.
143. Lettuce, “leaf” with roots, in water, own transparent container.
144. Onions, ripened off, 3 bulbs.
145. Parsnips, 1 only.
146. Peas, “standard”, stems on, 5 pods.
147. Peas, “snap” or “snow”, stems on 5 pods
148. Pepper, Sweet, stem on, 1 standard size or 3 small varieties
149. Pepper, Hot, stem on, 1 standard size or 3 small varieties
150. Potatoes, brushed – not washed, 3 of same variety
151. Pumpkin, stem attached, 1 only.
152. Shallots, 1 bulb.
153. Squash, Zucchini, under 8 inches, 1 only.
154. Squash, summer, other than Zucchini, 1 only.
155. Squash, winter, large variety, 1 only.
156. Squash, winter, small variety, 1 only.
157. Swiss Chard, 1 leaf, in water.
158. Tomatoes, beefsteak type, stems on, 1
159. Tomatoes, red, standard size, stems on, 3.
160. Tomatoes, red, cherry type, stems on, 5.
161. Tomatoes, any other colour, cherry type, (ripe) stems on, 5.
162. Tomatoes, grape, pear type, any colour, (ripe) stems on, 5.
163. Tomatoes, red, Roma type, stems on, 3.
164. Tomatoes, green, (ripe), numbers appropriate for size
165. Tomatoes, unripe (green) numbers appropriate for size
166. Tomatoes, other than #158 to 165, numbers appropriate for size.
167. Any other vegetable, number appropriate for size.
J. HERB DIVISION – Herbs should have no flowers and be named (Common names are acceptable).
180. Container of 5 or more herbs, cut, labelled, in water and presented in one container.
181. Collection of 3 or more varieties of dried herbs, in labelled glass containers. Attractive display will count.
K. FRUIT DIVISION – All berries to be shown on their own leaves.
190. Apples, all one variety, should be named, stems on, 3.
191. Grapes, 1 bunch, variety should be named.
192. Peaches, all one variety, should be named, stems on, 3.
193. Pears, all one variety, should be named, stems on, 3.
194. Plums, all one variety, should be named, stems on, 3.
195. Blackberries, stems on, 6.
196. Raspberries, stems on, 6.
197. Any other berry, stems on, 6.
198. Any other fruit, numbers appropriate for size, ie Watermelon, 1.
TROPHIES
SHELDAN CUP – high aggregate in Junior division
ARMSTRONG CUP – high aggregate in divisions C, D, E, F, G, & H by a NOVICE.
CAMPBELL CUP – best bloom in show.
CENTENNIAL CUP – high aggregate in annual flower division.
CREIGHTON CUP – high aggregate in perennial division.
DUNSFORD CUP – best flower arrangement by a NOVICE.
FAIRBURN CUP – high aggregate vegetable division by a NOVICE.
GORDON TROPHY – best begonia in show.
HAMMOND TROPHY – high aggregate in decorative division.
McTAVISH CUP – high aggregate in show.
PATEY CUP – high aggregate in combined fruit & Veg
PERIDOTS TROPHY – best in Potted Plants Division
WALSTROM CUP – best in show vegetable
ROSETTES – best in show fruit.
– best collection of herbs.
There will also be awards for the ‘Potato Contest’ for the largest, smallest, biggest yield and most unusual potato grown from seed potatoes provided by the Garden Club this past April.
DEFINITIONS
(Additional Definitions in VRGC Guide for Entrants to the Mini Show)
Bloom: Individual flower, solitary flower or composite head. No buds.
Bowl: A container with the inside mouth wider than the container height as measured from the table surface to the containers highest point. Always check maximum bowl size to avoid NAS disqualification.
Bulb: Includes corms, tubers and rhizomes.
Cultivar: Variety, as “Peace”, a rose cultivar or “Blue Lake”, a bean cultivar. PLEASE NAME CULTIVARS IF KNOWN. See Guide p. 12.
Floating: Actually supported by the water, not resting on the bottom of the bowl.
Judging: To be done by B.C. Council of Gardens Judging Standards for Non Specialized Shows, 2017, and by the VRGC Guide. A further exception is for Chrysanthemums and Dahlias, which are to be judged “for garden effect only” – not as strictly as with B.C. Council of Gardens Judging Standards.
Jug: A container with a pouring lip and handle.
N.A.S.: “Not according to schedule”. Please take note of any Judges comments made on entry slips.
Novice: A competitor who has not won a first ribbon in a VRGC Show or any horticultural show sponsored by an Affiliate of the BC Council of Garden Clubs
Specimen: An individual item according to the classification: 1 plant, 1 bloom, 1 fruit, etc.
Display Only: Items may be in own containers and will not be judged.
Spike: A single upright stem bearing several flowers attached directly or on extremely short stalks (e.g. Gladiolus).
Spray: A multi-branched inflorescence, such as in Phlox, Spray Chrysanthemums, etc.
Stem: One spike, or one spray on its stalk, or a single blossom on its long stalk or pedicel. May include buds.
Vase: A container with the inside mouth width less than the height of the container.
Please Read all Rules and Class Descriptions
SHOW RULES
Please refer to the VRGC Guide for Entrants to the Mini Show, 2019 for tips on how best to exhibit your flowers, fruits & vegetables.
All entries must have been grown by the exhibitor for at least two months prior to the show and three months prior for potted plants. Flowers in decorative division must be from the exhibitor’s or a friend’s garden (NOT PURCHASED).
Exhibits are to be of 1 stem unless stated otherwise.
Exhibitors may show more than one entry in a class provided they are different cultivars or species (see Definitions).
Exhibits are to be prepared at home, using your own containers. There will be no set up table at the hall. Your containers will not be judged except for the Decorative Division. Meat trays or paper plates are a good option for fruit & veg. Please also prepare your entry form at home; extra copies will be available at the hall.
The tabling of diseased/pest infested plant material is not permitted and such plant material will be removed.
Unless otherwise specified, companion planting, specifically the growing of 2 or more plants of different cultivars, species or genera in one container is not permitted.
Fruit and vegetable exhibits should contain the number of items specified in the VRGC Guide.
The judges or the Show committee may subdivide classes in which there are large numbers of entries.
DECORATIVE DIVISION:
Exhibit: Plant material with or without accessories. Bases, backgrounds and title cards may be included. Plant material must predominate over all other components of the exhibit. Fresh plant
material must be in water or in water-retaining material.
No artificial plant material. Painted and/or artificially coloured plant material will be accepted in Decorative Division only.
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