Show Hours: Thursday, May 24 - Sunday, May 27: 10 am - 8 pm Monday, May 28 (Memorial Day): 10 am - 5 pm

Exhibits

Competitive and Noncompetitive Exhibits

Cleveland Botanical Garden Flower Show provides plant, flower and nature lovers from around the country the opportunity toshowcase their experiencewhile presenting the general public with an unparalleled opportunity to view amazing horticultural exhibits. Sometimes thought of as "a show within a show," these exhibits comprise a broad opportunity for visitors to enjoy horticultural excellence and diversity in addition to the Show's more than 30 gardens.

Exhibitors include members of garden clubs, plant societies, specialists and horticultural enthusiasts from around the country. The divisions of competitive exhibits include Horticulture, Flower Arranging, Botanical Jewelry and Youth. Each provides exhibitors with the opportunity to express themselves in a variety of horticulture-related media.

Horticulture Division

The Horticulture Division features the work of skilled gardeners from Northeast Ohio who have coaxed and cultivated their best and most colorful specimens. Visitors find succulents and orchids, cut specimens including peonies, rhododendrons and roses. Outdoor exhibits include container gardens, miniature rock gardens and landscape gardens, ferns, hanging baskets, herbs, ivy trained plants and pocket gardens. Factors such as cultural perfection, condition and grooming, distinction and correct labeling are considered.

Invitational Design Division

Professional designers interpret a theme using plant material, props, fabrics and containers of his or her choice.

Flower Arranging Division

Flower arrangement is demonstrated as a creative art form. Based on the competition's theme, exhibitors present their interpretations of various class titles. Entries are judged on design, conformance to class requirements, distinction, artistic concept and expression.

Photography Division

Presented in conjunction with Cleveland Botanical Garden Flower Show, the Photography Show, held from May 4 to June 10, 2007, is a sampling of the work of the area's finest nature photographers. With entries ranging from representational imagery of gardens and landscapes to flora and fauna to abstractions and digital breakthroughs, this show is held in the Garden's Guren Gallery.

Botanical Jewelry Division

Entries feature wearable-size jewelry designs created from dried plant material including flowers, foliage, seeds and twigs. Entries are judged on design, craftsmanship, originality, interpretation of theme, and distinction.

Youth Division

Horticulture and flower arrangements created by children in Kindergarten through grade 12 are on display throughout Hershey Children's Garden. A flower arranging class and two natural craft classes are also on display. Entries are judged on creativity, artistic and craft skills, design and correct plant names. Classes are subdivided by the age of the exhibitor and judged accordingly.

Bonsai

Bonsai is the art of shaping trees and shrubs. This living art form originated in China in A.D. 700 and was called penjing, which means "potted plants with landscapes." The Japanese's intention was to capture the feeling of a complete aged tree, with exposed roots and trunks with bark and foliage, but in a dwarfed size. The trees and shrubs are trained to grow individually or in groups in shallow pots. This exhibit, located in the Japanese Garden, is presented and created by members of the Cleveland Bonsai Club. Bonsai is not judged.

Ikebana

Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arranging that has been practiced for more than a thousand years, presents an awareness of nature and spiritual nourishment. There are many schools of Ikebana and, although their styles differ, all share the philosophy of living in harmony with nature, a love of flowers and plants, and the desire to arrange elements beautifully. In past shows, three of the major schools represented have been those of Ikenobo, Ohara and Sogetsu. The arrangements are presented by Ikebana International Chapter 20. Ikebana is not judged, but is exhibited for enjoyment and contemplation.

Invitational Landscape Division

These classes feature international and regional landscape design professionals who are esteemed for excellence in the design and installation of custom landscapes.

• Theme Gardens are designed as large, semi-permanent gardens emphasize superb craftsmanship, planting sophistication and exemplary garden designs.
  
• Show Gardens are large temporary gardens that integrate a primary design feature with sophisticated horticultural elements.
  
• Ohio Landscapers' Association Show Gardens are small pocket or courtyard gardens designed by OLA members and feature unique designs and planting elements.

Invitational Nonprofit Division

Regional nonprofit organizations are invited to design and install temporary gardens conveying each institution's respective mission and its relationship to horticultural concerns. The goal of each nonprofit garden is to increase the public's general awareness of horticulture within the context of a stylized garden design.

Awards

Awards ranging from first place to honorable mention are given in each competitive division. Special awards are given to entries in the competitive professional landscapes and education divisions. Exhibits are judged by qualified judges from Garden Club of America, National Garden Clubs Inc., plant societies and specialists from the horticulture community. The judges come from all over the country and volunteer their time and expertise.