Judging of Exhibits and Gardens at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show

Gardens and exhibits at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show are not judged against each other, they are all judged to a standard, so more than one medal from each medal category can be awarded.

The Gardens

There are four types of garden at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show; Show Gardens, Water Gardens, Small Gardens and Conceptual Gardens.

Judging guidelines for show gardens:
All Hampton garden exhibitors are asked to complete a technical brief that describes:
· Theme and purpose
· Soil conditions
· Aspect
· Hard landscaping
· Special features

The Sunday before the show a group of experienced garden assessors use the technical brief to award points as follows:
· Brief – scope, realisation, practicability
· Overall Impression – impact, originality
· Overall Design – unity, balance, scale
· Construction – quality, finish, special features
· Planting – design, colour & texture, association & relevance, quality & finish
Particular emphasis is given to the planting.

On Monday before the show opens, with the aid of the assessors’ notes, a panel judges the gardens and awards medals.

Other Exhibits

General guidelines for judging group exhibits:
Judges should assess both the quality of the plant material and the quality of the way it is presented as a group. They should assess the overall impression and how this has been achieved both in relation to its horticultural content and its artistic effect.

Guidelines for judging floral arrangement and floristry exhibits:
Judges should assess both the quality and suitability of the plant material and the quality of the way it is presented as an exhibit. They should assess the overall impression and how this has been achieved both in relation to its horticultural content and its artistic effect. Natural plant material must predominate, with the emphasis on fresh flowers/foliage. Cut stems of all living plant material must be in water or water retaining material with the exception of lichens and succulents.

Guidelines for judging group exhibits of special educational and/or scientific interest: