>Birmingham Rose Show – My Results

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We had a great time at the Birmingham Rose Show this weekend. It was great to see everyone out in force to enjoy the roses on display. The Dunn Formal Rose Garden at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens was in bloom and many also enjoyed a stroll through the gardens with their mothers. Bringing your mother to the Botanical Gardens is a Mother’s Day Tradition for many Birmingham families.

As many of you know, I do not “Grow to Show” my roses. I grow for other reasons. I do, however think that it’s important to display and show roses to heighten the interest of those who might want to grow roses. It is also important to me to display our “National Floral Emblem” for all to see. So many people think your roses have to be picture perfect to enter them in a show. If you are vying for “Queen” of show, that may be true. Most people just want to help display the many different types of roses that are grown in our area. I guess I fall into that category. Whatever the reason, growing and showing roses kinda go hand in hand. Whether on the show tables or on your dining room table. We all show our roses! I want to encourage everyone reading this post to at least attend one rose show in your lifetime…. You’ll meet some great people and enjoy some awesome roses!

When I arrived at 6:30 a.m. to help with the early morning preparations of the show, I had about 8 or 9 blooms from my garden. In between making a table arrangement and helping register entries for the Photography division, I prepped and set my blooms on the entry table for placement in the show. I was clerk to the photography judges this year and it was interesting to walk the exhibit hall with the judges as they judged the photographs. The role of the clerk is to assist the judges and place any ribbons on the photos. Best of Section winners received the prestigious “Award Of Photographic Excellence” ribbon. One thing you NEVER do when clerking at a rose show is voice your opinion to the judges during the judging. If you know me personally, you know that this task is somewhat difficult for me….HA! They openly critique the roses, arrangements and photos, some of which might be your own! I love doing this job, you really learn quite a bit from the judges.

We had some good crowds this year. People had lots of questions about the roses on the show tables, as well as questions about the care of roses in their own gardens. A couple of people even brought in blooms from their gardens in the hopes that someone could help identify the rose for them.

Below are my results:

1st Place – Blue Ribbon
Best Miniature Open Bloom
ARS Certificate & Trophy
“Tiddly Winks”

2nd Place
Floribunda Spray
“Julia Child”

2nd Place
Rose “n” Crystal
Open Bloom – Miniature
“Tiddly Winks”

1st Place – Blue Ribbon
Award of Photographic Excellence
Miniature Rose
“Heartbreaker”

2nd Place
Rose “n” Crystal
Hybrid Tea
“Veteran’s Honor”

2nd Place
Functional Table Setting
“Caldwell Pink” & “The Fairy”