Guide to Rose Judging at the World's Top Flower Shows
Rose judging at prestigious flower shows follows rigorous standards that have been refined over decades. Major competitions like the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the Portland Rose Festival, and the World Rose Convention employ trained judges who evaluate roses using detailed criteria that assess both horticultural excellence and aesthetic appeal.
The Judging Criteria
Form and Shape The ideal rose bloom exhibits perfect symmetry with petals arranged in a pleasing pattern. Judges look for high-centered blooms in hybrid teas, with outer petals reflexing gracefully. The flower should be at the optimal stage of openness—typically one-half to three-quarters open for most classes. Overly tight buds or fully blown blooms are penalized.
Color Color must be clear, bright, and true to the variety's characteristics. Judges assess uniformity of color throughout the bloom, looking for any fading, discoloration, or "bluing" of red roses. Bicolored varieties should show distinct, well-defined color patterns without muddiness where colors meet.
Substance and Texture Petals should have good substance—thick enough to hold their form without appearing coarse. The texture should be smooth and velvety, with a natural sheen. Papery, thin petals or those with blemishes are marked down.
Size and Proportion Blooms should be appropriately sized for their class, with petals proportional to the overall flower. The bloom must be well-balanced with its foliage and stem. Oversized or undersized blooms relative to the variety standard lose points.
Stem and Foliage Quality
Judges examine stems for straightness, strength, and appropriate length for the class. The stem should support the bloom without drooping. Foliage must be clean, abundant, and healthy—deep green without yellowing, spotting, or pest damage. The arrangement of leaves should be balanced and typical of the variety.
Condition and Presentation
Freshness Blooms must appear fresh and vital, with no signs of age such as browning petal edges, wilting, or loss of turgidity. Water stress is immediately apparent to experienced judges.
Cleanliness Flowers must be free from debris, spray residue, insects, or disease symptoms. Even minor blemishes like thrips damage or powdery mildew can significantly impact scores.
Grooming Professional exhibitors carefully groom their entries, removing any damaged outer petals (called "guard petals"), ensuring foliage is spotless, and presenting blooms at peak perfection. However, over-grooming that makes the rose appear unnatural is discouraged.
Fragrance (When Applicable)
In classes where fragrance is judged, roses should have a strong, pleasant scent characteristic of the variety. Judges may assess the quality, strength, and appeal of the fragrance, with classic rose scents generally preferred.
Class-Specific Considerations
Different rose classes have unique standards. Hybrid teas are judged on individual bloom perfection with high centers. Floribundas are evaluated on the overall spray effect and multiple blooms at the right stage. English roses and old garden roses are assessed for their characteristic form—often more relaxed and quartered rather than high-centered. Climbing roses may be judged on overall plant effect rather than individual blooms.
The Point Scale
Most shows use a 100-point scale distributed across categories:
Form: 25 points
Color: 20 points
Substance: 15 points
Size: 10 points
Stem and foliage: 20 points
Balance and proportion: 10 points
Some shows include additional categories like fragrance or novelty, adjusting the scale accordingly.
Judging Process
Judges work in teams, often in pairs or threes, to ensure consistency and fairness. They conduct multiple passes through exhibits, first eliminating entries with obvious flaws, then carefully comparing top contenders. Discussions between judges help calibrate standards and resolve close decisions. The process can take several hours for large shows.
Championship and Special Awards
Beyond individual class winners, shows award championships like "Queen of the Show" (best bloom overall) or "Best in Section." Special awards may recognize specific achievements such as best fragrance, best new variety, or best exhibitor. These prestigious titles represent the pinnacle of rose exhibition.
Regional and International Variations
While core judging principles remain consistent globally, some variation exists. British shows through the Royal National Rose Society emphasize traditional form, while American Rose Society competitions may place slightly more weight on size. International shows must navigate these cultural preferences while maintaining objective standards.
Understanding these criteria helps both exhibitors prepare their entries and visitors appreciate the exceptional quality required to win at the world's premier rose shows. The judges' expertise ensures that only roses representing horticultural excellence receive top honors.
