BUXTON BEGONIA PLANT SHOW 2025
NEW ENGLAND BOTANIC GARDEN AT TOWER HILL
If this is the first time you are considering entering a plant show, please do not hesitate! This can be lots of fun, and our members will be available to help you and guide you through the process. So don't hesitate to show off all of your hard work nurturing a begonia! Anyone can enter a plant into the show, you do not need to be a member of Buxton Begonia Society.
As plants are brought in for entry into the show, they should have been pre-registered, or a complete entry form must be presented. The plant will first be inspected for clean health/bug check, then if not pre-registered, the entry form must be verified and signed off to make sure each plant has been identified correctly and has been entered in the correct Show Class to be displayed properly, and to be photographed.
Please do not hesitate to approach a Buxton Branch of ABS Member with any questions you may have or come to one of our meetings. They will be identified by a green apron and a Buxton badge listing their names and are more than happy to help!
ENTRIES:
1. Exhibitors must have grown all plants entered in competitive classes for at least three months or prior to June 20, 2025. Unless specifically stated, there are no growing restrictions.
2. Propagation classes. Plants that are:
up to 6 months old – were started/propagated after or on March 20, 2025
9 to 12 months old – were started/propagated after or on Sept. 20, 2024 but before March 20, 2025
3. Plants must be exhibited as grown, e.g., if a begonia is grown in an enclosed atmosphere, it must be exhibited in an enclosed atmosphere.
4. The competitive section of the show is open to any grower and no entry fee is required. An exhibitor may enter more than one entry in each class provided each plant is a different variety. Each entry can compete in only one class. A novice is an exhibitor who has never won a blue ribbon in an ABS show
5. All entries must be checked with the Classification Committee at the time of registration. The Classification Committee will assist in determining plant identity, division and class if requested. Classification will be pursuant to the accompanying show schedule, which is patterned after the suggested show schedule “A” of the Thompson Begonia Guide, (2nd. Ed.). Reference to plant height and leaf size in the show schedule is intended to aid in classification and refers to plants at maturity. Additional classes may be added at the discretion of the Show Chair and/or the Classification Chair, whose decisions are final.
6. The judges will use the “Point Scoring System of Judging Begonia” as approved by the American Begonia Society. If an entry is without merit, no award will be made regardless of the number of entries in the class. Entries in Division 320 will be judged artistically as well as horticulturally. With all awards, the decision of the judges will be final.
7. Plants and containers must be neat, clean, proportionate to size of the plant, and pest free. No white, black, or metal nursery cans/pots are permitted. Stakes are to be inconspicuous in size, color, and height. The Show Chair has the duty to exclude any diseased or pest-ridden plants. The Show Committee will safeguard the exhibits as far as possible, but cannot assume responsibility for loss or injury. Exhibitors should water their plants before entry.
8. No artificial plant material will be allowed in any class or division.
9. All entries must be of adequate size and development to make a suitable representation of their potential for the purposes of judging and for the viewing public.
10. When container dimensions are a consideration, for a round container measure the diameter. For other shaped containers measure the longest horizontal dimension.
11. Entries must be made during the times specified. Any exhibitor unable to enter plants on entry day, must arrange with the Show Chair by noon on entry day (9/19), to submit plants no later than 8:00 AM on Saturday (9/20) morning. Entries submitted on Saturday morning without prior notification will not be eligible for competition.
12. Those entering plants can designate facing for the show and judging, e.g., by using transparent glue dots or a chalk mark on the back of the container so that those placing the plant know the placement orientation chosen by the entrant.
13. Entries must be entered between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM on Friday (9/19). Growers are strongly encouraged to complete an exhibitor entry form PRIOR to submitting plants for entry.
14. Entries may not be removed before the show closes on Sunday (9/21) at 4 PM.
JUDGING:
1. The Judging Chairperson shall assume complete charge at the start of the judging, and no one will be allowed to interfere with the judges.
2. No exhibitor or judge may change the class of any entry without consent of the Show Classification and Entries Chairperson.
3. When judging is completed, the entry tags will be replaced by cards that show the exhibitor information and judging results.
4. Plants will be judged by their appearance above the soil line and not by parentage or cultural needs alone.
5. Judges shall make awards according to merit only. If the entry is without merit judges shall make no award regardless of the number of entries in a division.
6. Judges may only use the point scoring system as approved by the American Begonia Society.
7. Judges are to follow ABS judging procedure as prescribed by the Judging Chairperson.
AWARDS:
1. Each class will be judged for first (blue ribbon), second (red ribbon), third (yellow ribbon) or honorable mention (white ribbon) on merit only. All blue-ribbon winners in a division will be judged for division awards.
2. Only entries receiving first place in their class may be considered for division awards.
3. Entries must receive 93 points to be eligible for division awards therefore it is possible that not all divisions will have a division winner. Entries must receive 95 points or more to be eligible for cultural certificates. Only divisions 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 73, 80, 100, 162, 164, 200, 217, and 253 are eligible for cultural awards.
4. A Sweepstakes ribbon will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most blue-ribbons in all begonia divisions.
5. The Showing is Sharing ribbon is awarded to the exhibitor with the most total entries.
6. Best in Show is awarded to the plant and exhibitor scoring the highest number of points by all ABS Judges judging the show. Divisions that are eligible for the Best in Show award are identified with a check mark = on the show schedule
7. Class Commendation Ribbons will be awarded to all entries in a Class deemed of exceptional quality by the Judges.
8. Judges' decisions are final. If the Judging Chairperson determines that according to common judging practices, a gross injustice has occurred, the Judging Chairperson shall select a new team of judges to review the exhibit.
NEW ENGLAND BOTANIC GARDEN AT TOWER HILL
If this is the first time you are considering entering a plant show, please do not hesitate! This can be lots of fun, and our members will be available to help you and guide you through the process. So don't hesitate to show off all of your hard work nurturing a begonia! Anyone can enter a plant into the show, you do not need to be a member of Buxton Begonia Society.
As plants are brought in for entry into the show, they should have been pre-registered, or a complete entry form must be presented. The plant will first be inspected for clean health/bug check, then if not pre-registered, the entry form must be verified and signed off to make sure each plant has been identified correctly and has been entered in the correct Show Class to be displayed properly, and to be photographed.
Please do not hesitate to approach a Buxton Branch of ABS Member with any questions you may have or come to one of our meetings. They will be identified by a green apron and a Buxton badge listing their names and are more than happy to help!
ENTRIES:
1. Exhibitors must have grown all plants entered in competitive classes for at least three months or prior to June 20, 2025. Unless specifically stated, there are no growing restrictions.
2. Propagation classes. Plants that are:
up to 6 months old – were started/propagated after or on March 20, 2025
9 to 12 months old – were started/propagated after or on Sept. 20, 2024 but before March 20, 2025
3. Plants must be exhibited as grown, e.g., if a begonia is grown in an enclosed atmosphere, it must be exhibited in an enclosed atmosphere.
4. The competitive section of the show is open to any grower and no entry fee is required. An exhibitor may enter more than one entry in each class provided each plant is a different variety. Each entry can compete in only one class. A novice is an exhibitor who has never won a blue ribbon in an ABS show
5. All entries must be checked with the Classification Committee at the time of registration. The Classification Committee will assist in determining plant identity, division and class if requested. Classification will be pursuant to the accompanying show schedule, which is patterned after the suggested show schedule “A” of the Thompson Begonia Guide, (2nd. Ed.). Reference to plant height and leaf size in the show schedule is intended to aid in classification and refers to plants at maturity. Additional classes may be added at the discretion of the Show Chair and/or the Classification Chair, whose decisions are final.
6. The judges will use the “Point Scoring System of Judging Begonia” as approved by the American Begonia Society. If an entry is without merit, no award will be made regardless of the number of entries in the class. Entries in Division 320 will be judged artistically as well as horticulturally. With all awards, the decision of the judges will be final.
7. Plants and containers must be neat, clean, proportionate to size of the plant, and pest free. No white, black, or metal nursery cans/pots are permitted. Stakes are to be inconspicuous in size, color, and height. The Show Chair has the duty to exclude any diseased or pest-ridden plants. The Show Committee will safeguard the exhibits as far as possible, but cannot assume responsibility for loss or injury. Exhibitors should water their plants before entry.
8. No artificial plant material will be allowed in any class or division.
9. All entries must be of adequate size and development to make a suitable representation of their potential for the purposes of judging and for the viewing public.
10. When container dimensions are a consideration, for a round container measure the diameter. For other shaped containers measure the longest horizontal dimension.
11. Entries must be made during the times specified. Any exhibitor unable to enter plants on entry day, must arrange with the Show Chair by noon on entry day (9/19), to submit plants no later than 8:00 AM on Saturday (9/20) morning. Entries submitted on Saturday morning without prior notification will not be eligible for competition.
12. Those entering plants can designate facing for the show and judging, e.g., by using transparent glue dots or a chalk mark on the back of the container so that those placing the plant know the placement orientation chosen by the entrant.
13. Entries must be entered between 11:00 AM and 3:30 PM on Friday (9/19). Growers are strongly encouraged to complete an exhibitor entry form PRIOR to submitting plants for entry.
14. Entries may not be removed before the show closes on Sunday (9/21) at 4 PM.
JUDGING:
1. The Judging Chairperson shall assume complete charge at the start of the judging, and no one will be allowed to interfere with the judges.
2. No exhibitor or judge may change the class of any entry without consent of the Show Classification and Entries Chairperson.
3. When judging is completed, the entry tags will be replaced by cards that show the exhibitor information and judging results.
4. Plants will be judged by their appearance above the soil line and not by parentage or cultural needs alone.
5. Judges shall make awards according to merit only. If the entry is without merit judges shall make no award regardless of the number of entries in a division.
6. Judges may only use the point scoring system as approved by the American Begonia Society.
7. Judges are to follow ABS judging procedure as prescribed by the Judging Chairperson.
AWARDS:
1. Each class will be judged for first (blue ribbon), second (red ribbon), third (yellow ribbon) or honorable mention (white ribbon) on merit only. All blue-ribbon winners in a division will be judged for division awards.
2. Only entries receiving first place in their class may be considered for division awards.
3. Entries must receive 93 points to be eligible for division awards therefore it is possible that not all divisions will have a division winner. Entries must receive 95 points or more to be eligible for cultural certificates. Only divisions 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 73, 80, 100, 162, 164, 200, 217, and 253 are eligible for cultural awards.
4. A Sweepstakes ribbon will be awarded to the exhibitor with the most blue-ribbons in all begonia divisions.
5. The Showing is Sharing ribbon is awarded to the exhibitor with the most total entries.
6. Best in Show is awarded to the plant and exhibitor scoring the highest number of points by all ABS Judges judging the show. Divisions that are eligible for the Best in Show award are identified with a check mark = on the show schedule
7. Class Commendation Ribbons will be awarded to all entries in a Class deemed of exceptional quality by the Judges.
8. Judges' decisions are final. If the Judging Chairperson determines that according to common judging practices, a gross injustice has occurred, the Judging Chairperson shall select a new team of judges to review the exhibit.
| 2025_buxton_show_rules.pdf |