Mid-Atlantic Garden Show
"Promise of Spring"
February 26 - March 1, 2009
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR LANDSCAPE DISPLAY GARDENS
When you design and build a Landscape Display for the Mid-Atlantic Garden Show, visitors will see you as a leader in the profession.
Please note: no direct product sales are permitted in the West Hall of the arena.
Minimum Landscape Display Garden size is 20 foot by 20 foot.
You are responsible for all building materials, including screening.
The Show will provide mulch, approximately 2" coverage for the bedded plants in all Landscape Display Gardens. Please share responsibly. This is not a building material; it is a finishing material.
All gardens must first place a protective non-porous barrier, such as plastic or rubber on the Toyota Arena floor. It must be fastened to the floor. with a non-marking tape. Do NOT use duct tape. Approved tape is available in the Show office for $26 per roll.
If you are cutting block at the Expo Center, please protect the surface by cutting on a sheet of plywood.
The Expo Center will have equipment for loading and unloading. If you use the Expo Center's front end loader, you will not be liable should there be an accident. However, if you use your own equipment, you will be held responsible in the case of an accident or injury.
If you are staging or dropping off material before the show, please consult Ron in the head office (717-848-2596) for drop-off storage locations.
Exhibitors of Display Gardens must submit a drawing on 8.5"x11" paper of your garden plan/layout by
December 31, 2008. This plan must be approved by the Landscape Committee by January 31, 2009. Your Garden must be approved by the committee in order to be accepted into the Show. No changes to your layout will be permitted after February 15, 2009. Plan your garden layout with the theme "Promise of Spring."
There will be a Garden Party Thursday night for exhibitors and your invited guests. See page six for details.
You must have signage for your plants. It should list the name of your plant; be as specific as you can.
For example:
**Judging Criteria**
Use of Water
- Does the use of water demonstrate originality and creativity in design? Is it inviting? (25 possible points)
- Are plantings used effectively? Is there proper transition between aquatic and terrestrial species? (25 possible points)
- Interest level, single or multi-level, does it hold attention? (20 possible points)
- Movement, effective and natural dynamic motion exhibited (15 possible points)
- Sound- Does it enhance or detract? (5 possible points)
- Lighting- Is lighting used to accentuate overall design and effect? Consider that water is a natural reflector of light. (10 possible points)
Use of Color
- Overall, are colors used effectively? Has color been used to add interest to the garden? Does it draw the viewer’s attention? (30 possible points)
- Is there continuity of color? (25 possible points)
- To what extent does the use of color enhance rather than distract from the overall design? (20 possible points)
- Is there color balance throughout the garden and in particular, between low growing and higher growing varieties? (15 possible points)
- Does the garden incorporate color in a unique or unusual feature? (10 possible points)
Use of Architectural Elements
- Does the hardscaping harmonize well within the overall garden design or is it obtrusive? (20 possible points)
- Is there purpose and functionality to all the elements? Are elements of design used effectively? (20 possible points)
- Are the architectural elements used appropriate to the design or theme of the garden? (20 possible points)
- Is there good balance with other garden features? Would the garden be enhanced if either more or fewer architectural elements were used? (15 possible points)
- Do these elements indicate creative selection? Are they unique to this garden? (15 possible points)
- Safety- Has the safety of garden visitors or users been considered in the design and placement of hardscaping elements? (5 possible points)
- Are the hardscaping elements well crafted? (5 possible points)
Outstanding Display Garden
- Does the garden reflect originality and creativity? Is it distinctive? (20 possible points)
- Are elements of design used effectively? Does it show clarity above cleverness? (20 possible points)
- Interest level- Is the garden inviting? Does it hold attention? (20 possible points)
- Use of Color- Has color been used effectively in plant material? Are plant materials suitable to the design? (15 possible points)
- Do various elements of the garden complement one another, or is there the appearance of discord? Are materials and structures used suitable to the mood and concept of the design? (10 possible points)
- Quality of workmanship- Is the garden well crafted? (10 possible points)
- Overall appearance- Is the garden neat and well-maintained (coffee cups, lunches, etc are out of view)? Are persons working at the garden well-groomed and professional in appearance? (5 possible points)