Sally Seeds

Cherokee Garden Club

“A well-balanced branch at peak for display.”

Plant Material: Rhododendron 'Tallulah Sunrise’, azalea

Length of ownership: Nine years

Propagated by Exhibitor: No

Growing conditions: Outdoor filtered sun under pine trees, mulched with pine straw to improve soil acidity.

Gayle Hightower

River Oaks Garden Club

“A well-balanced branch at peak for display.”

“A longer stem would better display the plant's growth habit, enhancing the presentation.”

Plant Material: Rhododendron indicum, azalea

Length of ownership: Nine years

Growing conditions: Grown organically in a bed in the backyard. Survived the Texas freeze and came back better than ever!

Susan Schieffelin

Greenwich Garden Club

“Well-balanced, floriferous branch.”

Plant Material: Rhododendron (PJM Group), rhododendron

Length of ownership: Seventeen years

Propagated by Exhibitor: No

Growing conditions: Outdoor sunny hillside.

Lisa Manning

Garden Club of Nashville

“Captured at peak, beautiful puffy blooms.”

“The specimen is not well-balanced.”

Plant Material: Fothergillia 'Blue Shadow', witch alder

Length of ownership: Seventeen years

Propagated by Exhibitor: Yes. Cutting. In the second week of June, I made an angled cutting with a clean, sharp knife dipped in stimulator. I placed each cutting in a 1/2 perlite, 1/2 sand mixture in a multi-cell flat. I placed them in a greenhouse covered in plastic which was kept moist but not wet. I felt rooting 5–6 weeks later when gently tugging. They were transferred to a nutritious soil medium in small clay pots. I kept cuttings in the greenhouse with the windows open during the summer with other young specimens. I sometimes took them out for fresh rain and dappled sun but let them spend the first winter in the greenhouse. I hardened off the next spring and they were not only large enough but had an established root system. I was delighted they all lived when I gave them a chance to grow larger before experiencing the elements when immature. I had lost cuttings before and did not know why. An experienced gardener shared this method and I have used it with success with other cuttings.

Growing conditions: Home-grown composted, compost tea fed, irrigated bed with partial-full sun. Grown without chemicals or pesticides.

Colleen Grant

Albemarle Garden Club

“Elegant, delicate; presenting all stages of bloom. Almost perfect!”

Plant Material: Prunus glandulosa, flowering almond

Length of ownership: Seven years

Propagated by Exhibitor: No

Growing conditions: Full sun.

Sharel Hooper

Garden Club of Lookout Mountain

Special Awards Judges’ Comments:

“Joyous and inspirational.”

Judges’ Comments:

“Blooming perfection, captured at peak condition.”

Plant Material: Chaenomeles speciosa, flowering quince

Length of ownership: Eight years

Propagated by Exhibitor: No

Growing conditions: Full sun, well-drained soil with compost.

Jane Hammond

Dolley Madison Garden Club

"Flowering Tiffany."

“Some leaves lack vibrancy.”

Plant Material: Abutilon pictum, flowering maple

Length of ownership: Three years

Propagated by Exhibitor: Yes. Cutting. I took a cutting from a parent shrub just below the leaf node and propagated it by placing it in water at room temperature for several weeks until roots became evident. I removed it from the water and potted it in a well-drained potting mix which contained trace elements found in oceans and forests. I kept it well-watered and allowed it to dry out between waterings. After it became established with new green growth within two weeks appearing at the top of cutting, I fertilized it with an organic blend of seaweed extract and other organic materials. Once established (@ 6 months), it was placed in a location where it received partial sun/shade. It required covering and placement in a protected environment throughout the winter months. I repotted it when it expanded in a similar potting medium as used before and I prune to a desired shape. It is a prolific grower.

Growing conditions: This evergreen shrub is best maintained in a location that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. It has been allowed to dry out between waterings and prefers a moderate climate with a higher level of humidity. It is cold hardy on the eastern shore of Virginia but must be placed in a more protected location in my region as its vegetation is subject to a hard frost. I fertilized it with an organic soluble based fertilizer about once every 3 months. It blooms continuously and is repotted as it continues to expand. 

Sarah Davis

Garden Club of Lexington

“Wonderful presentation—gentle arch, looks like it's dancing.”

“A few tiny blossoms appear spent.”

Plant Material: Spiraea prunifolia, spirea

Length of ownership: Three years

Growing conditions: Planted in full sun. Average water needed.