ONTARIO HORTICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
District 17 Annual General Meeting
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 am - 12:30 pm at Club Carib of Oshawa,
600 Wentworth St. East, Oshawa
In 2026 OHA Districts 4 and 17 will host the OHA General Meeting and Convention, July 24 to 26 at Durham College, Oshawa Campus. Members of Societies in District 17 are encouraged to participate in this meeting and convention by attending the meeting, volunteering and/or by participating in the competitions such as photography, flower show etc.
Participating in a flower show on a provincial level can seem like a daunting task, but it needn’t be. Flowers in our gardens are up to the task, and if anything, have an advantage due to D17 members proximity to the convention venue. The D17 AGM planning committee have organized programming to help prepare members to successfully participate in the 2026 OHA AGM flower show, including: horticultural specimens, potted plants and collections; designs; and special exhibits. The D17 flower show will provide a learning opportunity for flower show participants, as well as all meeting attendees, to receive valuable, constructive information and helpful hints that will provide confidence and guidance for entering in the OHA Convention flower show.
All D17 members attending the D17 AGM are encouraged to bring entries for this flower show. All entries will be placed on the show table anonymously and will be used to highlight some of the nuances judges look for when selecting winning submissions.
FLOWER SHOW
GUIDELINES – HINTS & SUGGESTIONS
JUDGING
EXHIBITING/PLACING EXHIBITS
ENTRY DEADLINES
DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE:
Section A
Container-Grown Plants – Grown primarily for Foliage (Pg. 41 - 43 OJES)
Note: No decorative pots are permitted in Container-Grown Classes: pots are measured across the diameter from inside edge to inside edge.
Class 1 Any Succulent including cactus, 1 cultivar, named if possible, max. pot size 20 cm (8”) (Refer to OJES pg. 101-102)
Section B Container-Grown Plants – Grown primarily for Bloom (in bloom) (Pg. 41 – 43 OJES)
Note: No decorative pots are permitted in Container-Grown Classes: pots are measured across the diameter from inside edge to inside edge.
Class 2 African Violet (Saintpaulia) Standard, single crown, named if possible (Pg. 49 OJES), max. pot size 20 cm (8”)
Section C Horticultural Specimens
Class 3 Branch, flowering, forced or fresh cut, maximum length 1 metre (39”), must be named. No tropicals permitted. Measure length from table top following curvature of the branch to no more than the length stated in the schedule.
Section D Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes
Class 4 Narcissus, any cultivar, only one bloom per scape, 1 scape
Foliage is not attached to the scape and should not be included.
Class 5 Tulip, single, 1 bloom, show with two pairs of leaves attached to the stem.
Single tulips include the classic egg and oval form types. Some may have elongated, triangular or square shape; bloom size is large to huge; petals may be broad, rounded or pointed. Varieties include: single early, mendel, triumph, cottage, Darwin breeder
Class 6 Narcissus, any cultivar, only one bloom per scape, 2 scapes
Specimens should be uniform in terms of size, form, colour, stage of development and of the same cultivar
Foliage is not attached to the scape and should not be included.
Class 7 Tulip, single, 2 blooms, show with two pairs of leaves attached to each stem.
Specimens should be uniform in terms of size, form, colour, stage of development and of the same cultivar
Single tulips include the classic egg and oval form types. Some may have elongated, triangular or square shape; bloom size is large to huge; petals may be broad, rounded or pointed. Varieties include: single early, mendel, triumph, cottage, Darwin breeder.
Section E Collections
Class 8 Collection, Spring Blooms, 5 stems or scapes (any combination of bulbs, corms, rhizomes, annuals, perennials), minimum 3 different varieties or species, 1 container, must be named.
A specified number of different cut flowers exhibited for cultural perfection. Individual items in the collection should be named.
DIVISION II – INDIVIDUAL DESIGN
Note: Novice/Advanced designations are NOT in effect in this Schedule
Fresh material is to be used unless otherwise stated
Accessories (Pg. 129 OJES) are permitted in design classes unless otherwise stated
No soil is permitted in design class
Class 9 “Sprouts and Promises” a miniature design (pg. 145 OJES) Maximum dimensions no more than 12.7cm (5 inches) width, height and depth,
To be displayed in an L shaped niche, 14.6 cm (5 ¾ inch) wide X 15.2 cm (6 inch) high X 12.7 cm (5 inch) deep, viewed at eye level.
A miniature design will have maximum dimensions no more than 12.7cm (5inches) in height, width and depth, including any container, base and/or accessories. When shown in a niche, a recess in which a design is staged, the design should fill 2/3 to ¾ of the space.
District 17 Annual General Meeting
Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 am - 12:30 pm at Club Carib of Oshawa,
600 Wentworth St. East, Oshawa
In 2026 OHA Districts 4 and 17 will host the OHA General Meeting and Convention, July 24 to 26 at Durham College, Oshawa Campus. Members of Societies in District 17 are encouraged to participate in this meeting and convention by attending the meeting, volunteering and/or by participating in the competitions such as photography, flower show etc.
Participating in a flower show on a provincial level can seem like a daunting task, but it needn’t be. Flowers in our gardens are up to the task, and if anything, have an advantage due to D17 members proximity to the convention venue. The D17 AGM planning committee have organized programming to help prepare members to successfully participate in the 2026 OHA AGM flower show, including: horticultural specimens, potted plants and collections; designs; and special exhibits. The D17 flower show will provide a learning opportunity for flower show participants, as well as all meeting attendees, to receive valuable, constructive information and helpful hints that will provide confidence and guidance for entering in the OHA Convention flower show.
All D17 members attending the D17 AGM are encouraged to bring entries for this flower show. All entries will be placed on the show table anonymously and will be used to highlight some of the nuances judges look for when selecting winning submissions.
FLOWER SHOW
GUIDELINES – HINTS & SUGGESTIONS
JUDGING
- Recommendations made by the Judge(s) will be based upon the guidelines included in the Ontario Judging and Exhibiting Standards for Horticulture and Floral Design Second Edition 2019 (OJES) in conjunction with any criteria included in the Show Schedule specific to the Division/Class. Criteria stated in the Show Schedule take precedence over OJES.
EXHIBITING/PLACING EXHIBITS
- Exhibitors must be members in good standing in District 17 in order to place exhibits into the Show.
- Exhibits in Division 1 Horticulture must be grown by the exhibitor. Houseplants must have been in the exhibitor’s possession for at least three months.
- Exhibitors are allowed one entry per class.
- Exhibits will be placed on the show table anonymously, no entry tags are required. However, in order to support the “educational” aspect of this show, it is requested that exhibitors make every effort to include proper botanical (Latin) names, in addition to the common name, or name given for the Class. There is a good deal of reference material available for this purpose, including nursery catalogues, books, tags from purchases etc. Judge(s) look(s) upon labeling /identification favourably. This information may be provided using a separate piece of paper which will be provided by the show committee.
- Containers for specimens: shall be provided by the exhibitor; shall be clean, clear, uncoloured glass.
- Inconspicuous wedging of cut specimens is permitted (OJES p. 48). The use of oasis foam for cut specimens is not permitted.
ENTRY DEADLINES
- Exhibits must be in place prior to the start of the meeting.
DIVISION I – HORTICULTURE:
Section A
Container-Grown Plants – Grown primarily for Foliage (Pg. 41 - 43 OJES)
Note: No decorative pots are permitted in Container-Grown Classes: pots are measured across the diameter from inside edge to inside edge.
Class 1 Any Succulent including cactus, 1 cultivar, named if possible, max. pot size 20 cm (8”) (Refer to OJES pg. 101-102)
Section B Container-Grown Plants – Grown primarily for Bloom (in bloom) (Pg. 41 – 43 OJES)
Note: No decorative pots are permitted in Container-Grown Classes: pots are measured across the diameter from inside edge to inside edge.
Class 2 African Violet (Saintpaulia) Standard, single crown, named if possible (Pg. 49 OJES), max. pot size 20 cm (8”)
Section C Horticultural Specimens
Class 3 Branch, flowering, forced or fresh cut, maximum length 1 metre (39”), must be named. No tropicals permitted. Measure length from table top following curvature of the branch to no more than the length stated in the schedule.
Section D Bulbs, Corms and Rhizomes
Class 4 Narcissus, any cultivar, only one bloom per scape, 1 scape
Foliage is not attached to the scape and should not be included.
Class 5 Tulip, single, 1 bloom, show with two pairs of leaves attached to the stem.
Single tulips include the classic egg and oval form types. Some may have elongated, triangular or square shape; bloom size is large to huge; petals may be broad, rounded or pointed. Varieties include: single early, mendel, triumph, cottage, Darwin breeder
Class 6 Narcissus, any cultivar, only one bloom per scape, 2 scapes
Specimens should be uniform in terms of size, form, colour, stage of development and of the same cultivar
Foliage is not attached to the scape and should not be included.
Class 7 Tulip, single, 2 blooms, show with two pairs of leaves attached to each stem.
Specimens should be uniform in terms of size, form, colour, stage of development and of the same cultivar
Single tulips include the classic egg and oval form types. Some may have elongated, triangular or square shape; bloom size is large to huge; petals may be broad, rounded or pointed. Varieties include: single early, mendel, triumph, cottage, Darwin breeder.
Section E Collections
Class 8 Collection, Spring Blooms, 5 stems or scapes (any combination of bulbs, corms, rhizomes, annuals, perennials), minimum 3 different varieties or species, 1 container, must be named.
A specified number of different cut flowers exhibited for cultural perfection. Individual items in the collection should be named.
DIVISION II – INDIVIDUAL DESIGN
Note: Novice/Advanced designations are NOT in effect in this Schedule
Fresh material is to be used unless otherwise stated
Accessories (Pg. 129 OJES) are permitted in design classes unless otherwise stated
No soil is permitted in design class
Class 9 “Sprouts and Promises” a miniature design (pg. 145 OJES) Maximum dimensions no more than 12.7cm (5 inches) width, height and depth,
To be displayed in an L shaped niche, 14.6 cm (5 ¾ inch) wide X 15.2 cm (6 inch) high X 12.7 cm (5 inch) deep, viewed at eye level.
A miniature design will have maximum dimensions no more than 12.7cm (5inches) in height, width and depth, including any container, base and/or accessories. When shown in a niche, a recess in which a design is staged, the design should fill 2/3 to ¾ of the space.
DESIGN CHALLENGE!
Let's add some fun and decor to our D17 AGM this Spring!
We are asking each of our Clubs and Societies to design a Table Segment for your own table.
The theme of your Table Segment design is up to you! Spring? A reflection of your Club's mission or flower? The ideas are endless. We are asking you to create a visually appealing table. At the bare minimum we ask you to provide a centrepiece. (No live flames please.)
We have included pictures of some sample Table Segments and the OJES definition of a Table Segment. There is also the scale of points indicating how such a design is normally judged. Each attendee will receive a ballot and be asked to judge the tables, evaluating your creativity, originality, and overall presentation.
Of course there will be an amazing prize awarded to the Winning Club or Society!
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Table Segment: Is a functional table and must include one (1) place setting, suitable linens and a decorative unit (The term used to describe the floral design in Table designs.) Flatware may be used.
Design Division Scale of Points
Design - Total 40 points
The organization of the elements and principles of design
Balance The visual stability from any angle.08
Rhythm The visual path that suggests motion.08
Proportion The relative amount from one area to another. (plant:container; round:linear) The complete design should be in proportion to the space available. 08
Scale The size relationship of all components in the design. 08
Contrast The effect achieved by placing unlike components together in such a way as to emphasize difference. 04
Dominance The impact/emphasis of one element. It implies subordination. 04
TOTAL
40
Conformance - Total 25 points
Compliance with schedule requirements: space allotted, type of design, plant materials to be used etc.
Deductions for non-conformance should be proportional to the degree of non-compliance.
15
Interpretation of theme and/or title.
10
TOTAL
25
Creativity - Total 20 points
An original artistic concept in the choice and organization of all the design components.
20
TOTAL
20
Distinction and Condition – Total 15 points
Marked superiority in all respects and physical state of plant material at the time of judging.
15
TOTAL
15
GRAND TOTAL
100
Let's add some fun and decor to our D17 AGM this Spring!
We are asking each of our Clubs and Societies to design a Table Segment for your own table.
The theme of your Table Segment design is up to you! Spring? A reflection of your Club's mission or flower? The ideas are endless. We are asking you to create a visually appealing table. At the bare minimum we ask you to provide a centrepiece. (No live flames please.)
We have included pictures of some sample Table Segments and the OJES definition of a Table Segment. There is also the scale of points indicating how such a design is normally judged. Each attendee will receive a ballot and be asked to judge the tables, evaluating your creativity, originality, and overall presentation.
Of course there will be an amazing prize awarded to the Winning Club or Society!
YOU BE THE JUDGE!
Table Segment: Is a functional table and must include one (1) place setting, suitable linens and a decorative unit (The term used to describe the floral design in Table designs.) Flatware may be used.
Design Division Scale of Points
Design - Total 40 points
The organization of the elements and principles of design
Balance The visual stability from any angle.08
Rhythm The visual path that suggests motion.08
Proportion The relative amount from one area to another. (plant:container; round:linear) The complete design should be in proportion to the space available. 08
Scale The size relationship of all components in the design. 08
Contrast The effect achieved by placing unlike components together in such a way as to emphasize difference. 04
Dominance The impact/emphasis of one element. It implies subordination. 04
TOTAL
40
Conformance - Total 25 points
Compliance with schedule requirements: space allotted, type of design, plant materials to be used etc.
Deductions for non-conformance should be proportional to the degree of non-compliance.
15
Interpretation of theme and/or title.
10
TOTAL
25
Creativity - Total 20 points
An original artistic concept in the choice and organization of all the design components.
20
TOTAL
20
Distinction and Condition – Total 15 points
Marked superiority in all respects and physical state of plant material at the time of judging.
15
TOTAL
15
GRAND TOTAL
100
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