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Awards & Judging

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. 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.

Featured Awards

Best in Show award, for the highest-scoring major exhibits in the Landscape and Floral categories in the Show.
2026 Winner – Landscape: Mark Cook Landscaping & Contracting
2026 Winner – Floral: Arrange, LLC

For the major exhibits in the Landscape and Floral categories receiving the second-highest number of points.
2026 Winner – Landscape: Irwin Landscaping, Inc.
2026 Winner – Floral: Robertson’s Flowers and Events

For the major exhibit in the Educational category that demonstrates the most successful use of a variety of plants in a unique fashion.
2026 Winner: Lankenau High School

For the major exhibit in the Floral category that demonstrates the most innovative or unique design or use of plants or products.
2026 Winner: Arrange, LLC

For the major exhibit in the Landscape category that demonstrates the most innovative or unique design.
2026 Winner: Unknown Studio

For the major exhibit in the Landscape category that demonstrates the best use of color.
2026 Winner: Kelly D. Norris, LLC

For the major exhibit in the Landscape category with the most accomplished display of forced plants.
2026 Winner: Laurel-Brook Gardens

Awarded to the major exhibit that uses its intent to take a vibrant and strong stance on an issue — environmental, humanitarian, etc.— and encourages the viewer to be introspective about the topic.
2026 Winner: Irwin Landscaping, Inc.

Awarded to a major exhibit in the Educational category showing outstanding horticultural skill and knowledge in a nationally recognized Flower Show.
2026 Winner: Mercer County Community College

Awarded to the major exhibit in the Floral category demonstrating the best use of color in flowering and/or foliage plants in an innovative or unique design.
2026 Winner: Robertson’s Flowers & Events

For the major exhibit in the Educational category demonstrating the best use of sustainable gardening practices to the public.
2026 Winner: W.B. Saul High School

PHS Medals

For major exhibits receiving 90-100 points.
2026 WINNERS

  • Arrange, LLC
  • Robertson’s Flowers & Events
  • AIFD
  • Mark Cook Landscape & Contracting
  • Irwin Landscaping, Inc.
  • Laurel-Brook Gardens
  • Mercer County Community College
  • Lankenau High School
  • Temple University

For major exhibits receiving 80-89 points.

2026 WINNERS

  • Jennifer Designs
  • Rachel Cho Floral Design
  • University of Delaware
  • Suan Cohan Gardens
  • The Men’s Garden Club of Philadelphia
  • Apiary Studio
  • Lakeside School Greenhouse
  • Delaware Valley University
  • W.B. Saul High School
  • Bloom Bold Co.

For major exhibits receiving 65-79 points.

2026 WINNERS

  • TissaRose
  • Simply Nia Design
  • Design Under Sky
  • Bucks CC Floral Program

Special Panel Awards

Showing the most effective use of plants and best use of design in the Landscape and Educational categories.
2026 Winners:

  • Landscape: Irwin Landscaping Inc.
  • Educational: Temple University

For an exhibit of horticultural excellence that best demonstrates the bond between horticulture and the environment and inspires the viewer to beautify home and community through skillful design and appropriate plant material.
2026 Winner: Irwin Landscaping, Inc.

For a special exhibit in the field of horticulture, botany, or conservation. The exhibit of exceptional educational merit increases the knowledge and awareness of the viewing public. It is the exhibit that best combines an important message with the ability to convey that message to the public.
2026 Winner: Temple University

Awarded, if merited, to exhibits of unusual excellence (1,000 square feed and over, and under 1,000 square feet) in the categories of Conservation, Education, Horticulture, and Creativity.
2026 Winners:

  • Conservation: Etta Studio (under 1,000) and Laurel-Brook Gardens (over 1,000)
  • Creativity: Kelly D. Norris, LLC (under 1,000) and Apiary Studio (over 1,000)
  • Education: Design Under Sky (under 1,000) and Irwin Landscaping, Inc. (over 1,000)
  • Horticulture: The Men’s Garden Club of Philadelphia (under 1,000) and Mark Cook Landscaping & Contracting (over 1,000)

For artistic presentation of flowers and plants for public enjoyment in the Floral category.
2026 winner: Jennifer Designs

For distinctive orchid display, to be judged for quality and artistic arrangement in either group or individual specimens.
2026 winner: Chadwick & Son Orchids

Awarded for the most meritorious orchid exhibit.
2026 Winner: Waldor Orchids

Presented, if merited.

Awarded for the best use of PHS Gold Medal plants in a major exhibit.
2026 Winner: Temple University

Awarded for the best use of trees in a major exhibit in the Landscape category.
2026 Winner: Irwin Landscaping, Inc.

Awarded for the exhibit that best exemplifies PHS’s mission to activate horticulture and gardening as a force for the “greater good” by advancing the health and well-being of people and their environments. Awarded to major exhibits in the Landscape, Floral, Educational, and Design categories.
2026 Winners:

  • Irwin Landscaping, Inc.
  • Temple University
  • Delaware Valley University

Given to the exhibit that the RHS believes provides inspiration to visitors, the public, and the horticultural industry. Awarded to a major exhibit in the Landscape, Floral, or Educational categories.
2026 Winner: Temple University

The Educational exhibit demonstrating the best use of design.
2026 Winner: Lakeside School