I think what people need to understand is that there are two parts to judging at a show. The first is what is termed ribbon judging. All plants maybe entered for ribbon judging, this is a beauty contest. They must be entered in the correct category. If there is AOS judging at the show -- and even if there isn't -- AOS judges, accredited, probabionary and students, form teams, you are assigned a team and usually a clerk or two. This is looked on as a learning experience for the clerks -- so they may with the team captains explanations and guidance be asked to make the selection, if the judges don't like it then we'll tell you so, and overrule the clerks, oh I can think of one clerk here that I think is as good as most judges. If you catch it in time you can even correct a wrongly entered plant. This is all done before the show starts. Ribbons and trophies are awarded, in fact I have an expensive one from a paph that's day it was. I have a blue vanda, not awardable that won its class 3 years in a row at the local show - then retired. Next as the judges and clerks progress they make mental notes of plants they would like to see for AOS judging, I have seen plants pulled from vendors tables at big shows, one even awarded. Basic rule, they can be judged only once on that flowering, that is why you will see some plants marked not for AOS judging, or if it already has an award, the person doesn't want to pay if it gets one more point on this go round, and the current owner pays though they get no credit for it. After ribbon and display judging plants are marked- usually with paper dots or some such thing and the judges retreat to AOS judging. Plants are pulled from the displays and then debated over -- there are cultural awards but usually they are looked at for the standard FCC,AM and HCC, FCC is 90 pts plus AM 80-89and HCC 75-79, the plants are scored by each judge on the team and an average done. If you get an award and that clone has not been awarded before then you get to name it, such as "Lucky Chance" which was given to a vanda species won at a raffle, if there is no name, then you also can name it, that goes to the RHS, oh you pay, but I named a cross after my teenage son who didn't appreciate that he is recorded as an orchid. It used to be $35 if you got an award, they have recently changed it and you get a discount if you pay on line. If you get the award your plant's pic is taken, used to be you got a slide of it, again now they have gone digital, and a lovely certificate. After judging, plants are returned to the display. Plants maybe brought for AOS judging and not entered. They are generally set on the back tables. SWOGA rules are a little different on show set up and have some other awards, but they are not AOS awards, which are the ones that make a plant maybe worth some money. AOS awards are sought after but there are some famous plants such as Phrag Eric Young 'Rocket Fire' that is a tremendous parent was not and never will be awarded, and I can think of some phals that are that way. When people are buying a plant, it helps if the parents are awarded you can look up the parent even. There are also a number of judging centers, AOS list them on their web site, typically they meet once a month, they have lectures, raffles etc. While I am told it used to be very formal, they are trying to encourage the public, you may ask the chair if you can sit in on a judging -- not of your own plant -- and he will most likely try to assign you to a team whose leader or members are given to explanations. I know when we have visitors we bend over backwards, on our own we can be very perfunctory. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE EDUCATIONAL. Insects -- ugh -- well we don't outright throw them out - for one bug -- but please you are subjecting everyone to your infestation. Insect damaged flowers are not judgable and that is what we are judging. Not the plant, unless you are trying for cultural -- then its out period -- how can we give you a cultural if a slug has obviously been there. It took me awhile to figure out the rules and I still haven't got them all by a lot, the AOS has a rule book and guides, but the easiest way is to clerk a few shows or attend a judging center. Oh all judges usually get is breakfast and at a big show lunch. It always seemed strange to me that if you get an AOS award you pay. But it is still a great honor, and a chance to give an honor to someone by naming the clone or even cross after them.

egr2005 - I planted my trio so long ago, I had forgotten names, but when I asked, the consensus here was that the forward left & right ones are Tiaras - Emerald and Golden - which names vaguely ring a bell, and the back right one Fortunei Aureomarginata, called Gold Crown. The latter I read on HL is very common, but I like its neat manner and the way it sets the others off but with leaves of a different scale. These guys are no muss, no fuss! And, yes, please copy if it pleases you - what a nice compliment!! Ooooooh, McT - I love your combos! And the ruffled edges of Sea Gulfstream and Reptillian are really appealing to me now... oh dear. I've been wishing I knew of a soft, dreamy-colored one for next to June - aha - Alvatine Taylor! I also like the chartreuse next to a blue - it does add a little zinggg. EO, I agree - composing the picture is really, really important to me, too. I have a few I like, but have ended up more often than not frantically digging a hole to plop one in at the end of the season. Saving grace is that they are easily moved. I've found that in my garden, inspiration comes at a time of its own choosing. I've been in this house 12 years and this is the first year my perennial border pleases me. BTW - I agree, your favorite scene is better without the chartreuse heuch (at least I think heuch). Chartreuse causes the eye to come to a full stop, and disrupts the serenity of your vignette. Beauty can't be rushed, I suspect, though sometimes it's an instant, happy accident. Ah, sweet mystery of our gardening lives! In this combo the Snowflake hydrangea blooms echo Sagae's border - happy accident - forgive me for posting again...I just like it... Hey_j - time for some new pictures... and all of mine are now chewed. hmmmm..... another thread....

I have have looked at this thread many times & so enjoyed seeing all the beautiful, unique trees! First year in this converted barn with 11ft ceilings. My tree is a little dinky, but I call it my woodland tree. It's full of animals/critters that we have at our place. Pheasant feathers from DH hunting trips, antlers found or from FIL hunting- yes, I'm in the south- way of life down here!! I kept this tree more neutral to not fight with my colors. We also had a Charlie Brown tree with family ornaments- all hung with no regard to looks or colors-- it was my favorite!! And this one in our bedroom-swavorski ornaments for every year we've been married Happy Holidays!!

You can see a couple on this tree from 2008. LOL I did not put them out for the last few years because we downsized our tree to a skinny tree. Currently, we are also in a rental house while building. I plan to put up a big tree when we move into the new house. I just went to the basement to take a photo of my portion of Christmas balls. I don't know where my eggs are. One is huge and beautiful with The Virgin Mary and baby Jesus! I think my grandmother made it out of a Legg's stocking container. You may be too young to know what those is. LOL Cute story...I was showing my grandchildren a manger scene and my 4 year old granddaughter exclaimed that baby Jesus was asleep on the COUCH!!! And that reminds me of another story that involved my niece. She was about 6 or 7 at the time. We were in church and she was drawing on the church bulletin. I asked to see what she had drawn. It was a picture of a tall building that had the letters HI above it. I asked what it meant and she replied "it's the inn where Jesus was born." Holiday Inn. :)