Awards & Judging
Competition with a Legacy
For nearly 200 years, the plant and exhibit competition at the Philadelphia Flower Show has been a key part of the excitement and prestige of the event. Professional and amateur gardeners compete for horticultural and design excellence to see who will take home the trophy for Best in Show or the Blue Ribbon.
Major Exhibits
The Major Exhibits include three judged categories: Landscape, Floral, and Educational. These large-scale displays are crafted by leading professionals, including landscape designers, architects, florists, and horticulture and floral programs from high schools and universities. Each exhibit is evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges recognized for their expertise.
Competitive Classes
Exhibitors in the Competitive Classes are non-professionals, including individual participants as well as groups such as garden clubs and schools. Each division contains multiple categories, or “classes,” where entries are presented. The Competitive Classes divisions include:
- Artistic, which includes Arrangements, Botanical Arts, Photography, and Pressed Plants.
- Design, which includes larger exhibits such as Gardens, Entryways, Store Windows, and Miniature Settings.
- Horticulture, which includes individual plant submissions in the PHS Hamilton Horticourt.
Judging
Judges evaluate each entry and award ribbons based on established criteria. In Horticulture, for example, they consider factors such as cultural perfection, rarity, difficulty to grow, maturity, and quality of bloom. Philadelphia Flower Show judges come from across the country and sometimes even from abroad. They work in panels of three, supported by clerks who carefully record the results. As one of the oldest Flower Shows in the world, PHS takes pride in hosting an event that is both prestigious and highly respected by judges and exhibitors alike.
There are four types of awards that can be achieved at the Philadelphia Flower Show:
Trophies
Trophies are the highest honors within the Major Exhibits, with fierce competition for the prestigious PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup—the Best in Show award presented in both the Landscape and Floral categories. Numerous additional trophies are awarded throughout the Show to celebrate a variety of outstanding achievements. Be sure to visit our new Awards Wall to view this year’s winning displays!
Medals
Gold, silver, and bronze medals are awarded in the Major Exhibit categories based on three criteria elements: Design, Horti/Flora-culture, and Educational value.
Ribbons
In the Competitive Classes, ribbons are awarded for first place (blue), second place (red), third place (yellow), and honorable mention (white). For most classes, only one Blue Ribbon is awarded, but there may be more than one red, yellow, or white. In the Grand Old Plants classes in the Horticourt, entries are judged on a “par” basis—that is, against “perfection” for each plant rather than in comparison to other entries. In 2025, there were 883 blue ribbons, 1,794 red ribbons, 1,391 yellow ribbons, and 1,106 white ribbons.
Rosettes
Rosettes are presented by special panels of judges, such as those from plant societies and garden club associations, to recognize outstanding entries in the Competitive Classes and select Major Exhibits.
Explore our full list of major exhibit awards below.
Featured Awards
The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Cup |
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The PHS Philadelphia Flower Show Silver Trophy |
The Alfred M. Campbell Memorial Trophy |
The Mayor’s Trophy |
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The Governor’s Trophy |
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The Philadelphia Trophy |
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The PHS Council Trophy |
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Anne Vallery Award |
Chicago Horticultural Society Flower Show Medal |
The Phyllis M. Craig Award |
PHS Sustainability Award |
PHS Medals
PHS Gold Medal
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PHS Silver Medal 2026 WINNERS
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PHS Bronze Medal 2026 WINNERS
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Special Panel Awards
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The Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association Trophies
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The American Horticultural Society Environmental Award |
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The Bulkeley Medal of The Garden Club of America |
Special Achievement Awards of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania
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Society of American Florists Flower Show Award |
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The Emile H. Geschick Memorial Award |
American Orchid Society Show Trophy |
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American Orchid Society Show Awards |
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The PHS Gold Medal Award |
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The Kate & Robert Bartlett Award |
PHS Gardening for the Greater Good Award
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The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Choice Award |
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Massachusetts Horticultural Society Gold Medal |
Pascal Garbe (Head Judge)
Garden Designer · Author · International Judge
France
After studying landscaping and related subjects, Pascal pursued garden architecture in Belgium before working with design consultancies in France and abroad. An acclaimed garden designer, he is also regarded as one of the world’s leading experts in garden tourism.
His passion for gardens and small spaces has led to collaborations with many renowned figures in the field, including more than a year working alongside Princess Greta Sturdza. Pascal serves on the judging panels of major international events, including the International Garden Festival in Chaumont-sur-Loire, the Singapore Garden Festival, and the Johannesburg International Flower Show. He is a regular contributor to gardening publications worldwide and the author of around twenty books on gardens and plants.
Kona Gray (Landscape Judge)
Landscape Designer
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Kona A. Gray, FASLA, PLA is an internationally recognized landscape architect with more than 29 years of experience designing places in over 30 countries. His work focuses on creating inclusive, welcoming environments that strengthen community and cultural connection, informed by a global perspective shaped by his upbringing in Liberia and the United States.
An ASLA Fellow and recipient of the 2022 ASLA Presidents’ Medal, Gray has held numerous leadership roles within ASLA and the Landscape Architecture Foundation. In private practice at EDSA, he co-leads design and business development and is a registered landscape architect in multiple state and holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Georgie.
Bryce Lane (Educational Judge)
Horticulturist · Educator · Speaker · TV Host
Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Bryce H. Lane is an award-winning horticulturist and educator with more than three decades of experience teaching and inspiring gardeners of all levels. He holds a B.S. and M.S. in horticulture and spent 34 years as an instructor and undergraduate program coordinator in the Department of Horticultural Science at North Carolina State University, advising over 20,000 students.
For eleven seasons he hosted and produced In the Garden with Bryce Lane, a three-time Emmy-winning public television gardening program focused on practical, plant-centered instruction. He continues to share his expertise through talks, workshops, and part-time teaching at NC State and the JC Raulston Arboretum, and remains active in leadership and communication training within the horticulture community.
Abra Lee (Educational Judge)
Public Horticulturist · Historian · Author · Speaker
Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Abra Lee is a horticulturalist, historian, and author dedicated to uncovering and sharing the contributions of Black Americans to gardening and horticulture. Her work blends plant science with cultural history, highlighting often-overlooked stories and voices in the landscape world.
A graduate of Auburn University with a degree in ornamental horticulture, Abra has held roles including county extension agent, landscape manager for major international airports, and municipal arborist. She was selected as a 2019–2020 Longwood Gardens Fellow.
Abra is the founder of Conquer the Soil, a community and platform that explores garden history, folklore, and culture, and she is a sought-after speaker at botanical institutions nationwide. Her book Conquer the Soil: Black America and the Untold Stories of Our Country’s Gardeners, Farmers, and Growers is forthcoming.
Dennis Lim (Lead Landscape Judge)
Coordinating Director · Festivals · Events & Exhibitions · Visitor Management & Security
Singapore
Dennis, a seasoned professional at the National Parks Board (NParks) since 2002, currently oversees Festivals, Events & Exhibitions and Visitor Management & Security as Coordinating Director at the Singapore Botanic Gardens Division. He simultaneously serves as Director (Business Development) for Singapore Garden City Pte Ltd. With a Bachelor of Business in Business Administration (Distinction) from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1998), Dennis boasts over two decades of expertise in visitor service operations, business tenancy and licensing, events venue rental, and the orchestration of festivals, events, and exhibitions within NParks.
Since 2007, Dennis has spearheaded the organization of the acclaimed Singapore Garden Festival (SGF). His responsibilities encompass talent-scouting for international designers, securing sponsorships, negotiating ticketing arrangements with tour operators, overseeing overseas sales marketing, and managing overall SGF operations. His portfolio includes the successful execution of three major international conference-led exhibitions: SGF Expo (2008), World Orchid Conference (2011), and Asia Pacific Orchid Conference (2023), each featuring distinguished international speakers and trade exhibitors. Additionally, Dennis managed two turnkey projects for Singapore Pavilions at the International Horticultural Expositions in Antalya, Turkey (2016) and Beijing, China (2019). In 2013, the Singapore government recognized Dennis's dedication to public service with the Public Administration Medal (Bronze).
Ahti Lyra (Floral Judge)
Florist · Floral Artist · Educator
Estonia
Ahti Lyra is an Estonian florist and floral artist with more than 20 years of experience, running his own floral shop in Tallinn. His work is known for a modern aesthetic marked by creative forms, influenced by Nordic minimalism and a subtle sense of spirituality.
Ahti is a co-founder of MTÜ Eesti Florist, the national florists’ association of Estonia, where he actively supports professional development through workshops and education. He also leads the Estonian Floral Art Championship, helping to advance contemporary floral design in the region.
In 2015, Ahti represented Estonia at the Fleurop-Interflora World Cup in Berlin and has since participated in numerous national and international floral competitions, earning multiple accolades.
Danilo Maffei (Lead Educational Judge)
Founder & Principal CPLD · PCH Emeritus · FAPLD
Kennett Square, Pennsylvania
With a background in public horticulture, landscape contracting, education, and civic leadership, Danilo Maffei brings a thoughtful, practical perspective to the ways gardens enrich our connection to people and place. A graduate of Longwood Gardens’ Professional Horticulture Program, he specializes in creating outdoor spaces that feel natural, purposeful, and well suited to their surroundings.
By selecting plants and materials that complement both landscape and architecture, Danilo connects the built environment with nature in seamless and lasting ways. He is an instructor and speaker for Longwood Gardens’ Professional Horticulture and Continuing Education Programs, has served as a major and educational exhibits judge for the Philadelphia Flower Show, and has held leadership roles including President of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers and President of the Borough Council of Kennett Square.
Mary Pat Matheson (Landscape Judge)
President & Chief Executive Officer
Atlanta, Georgia
Since 2002, Matheson has directed all operations for the Atlanta Botanical Garden, a 30-acre public garden, and under her leadership, the nonprofit organization has actively expanded fund-raising, education, marketing, business administration, horticulture and conservation efforts with a rapidly growing membership base of more than 45,000. Additionally, she is responsible for the development of the Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville, a 185-acre public garden in Gainesville, Georgia. She also was the driving force behind two $50 million-plus capital campaigns that enabled the Garden to expand, doubling its size to 30 acres with new gardens and facilities. She currently is leading a $150 million campaign – the Garden’s largest ever – for expanding the attraction by nearly 8 acres, making it contiguous to the Atlanta Beltline, where a second entrance will make the Garden the city’s first cultural attraction accessible from the 22-mile loop.
The meteoric growth in Garden attendance over her 20-plus years has enabled it to reach larger and broader audiences for its mission in educating the public about its plant and animal conservation efforts. In 2022, the Garden Club of America presented Matheson with its Zone Civic Improvement Commendation, and in 2021, the Garden was awarded the American Public Gardens Association’s Award for Garden Excellence, selected by its peers for demonstrating the highest standards of horticultural best practices. Matheson is a past president of the American Public Gardens Association, serves as board chair for Midtown Alliance and is on the board of the Food Well Alliance. She is a graduate of Leadership Atlanta and a member of the Rotary Club of Atlanta.
Before joining the Garden, Matheson was Executive Director of the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in Salt Lake City. Originally a horticulturist, she earned a B.S. in Resource Management & Park Planning and an Executive Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Utah.
Susan Mcleary (Floral Judge)
Floral Artist · Instructor · Presenter · Author
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Susan is a floral designer, artist and instructor who creates unusual, boundary-pushing floral art including elaborate headpieces, floral wearables, and large-scale floral installations. Her soulful, seasonally- inspired creations have been described as exquisite living artwork. A passionate teacher, Susan offers instruction for new and professional florists through her online classes, “Virtual Studio,” membership, and through destination workshops. Susan’s work has been featured in leading industry publications and websites including Martha Stewart Weddings, Cosmopolitan, SELF, Flower magazine, Florist’s Review, The Knot, My Modern Met, Refinery 29, Buzzfeed, Belle Armoire, Midwest Living, and Fusion Flowers. She is the author of two books: The Art of Wearable Flowers and Flowers for All, both with Chronicle Books
Harijanto Setiawan (Lead Floral Judge)
Floral Designer · Educator · International Judge
Singapore
Trained as an architect, Harijanto earned a Master of Real Estate from the University of New South Wales, Australia, in 1997 before pursuing his true passion in floristry. Renowned for his artistic vision in floral-scape design, his breathtaking floral creations are regularly featured at high-profile and celebrity weddings, where his work is celebrated for its emotional depth and sculptural quality.
In 2004, he founded Boenga, a floral studio specializing in thematic events and weddings, where each piece is designed as a living sculpture. In 2013, Harijanto became the first floral designer in Singapore to be awarded Designer of the Year by the President of Singapore. Committed to advancing the profession, he served as President of the Floral Designers Society Singapore from 2013 to 2015.
Harijanto is the author of three books — Mystical Floral Journey, WTF! What The Flowers, and Haribana. In 2016, he was named a Floral Fundamentals Ambassador, and in 2023 he attained the title of International Master Florist from the Boerma Institute Flower School in the Netherlands. He currently works internationally as a floral demonstrator, educator, competition judge, and floral adviser to global brands.
