Tales from the Competitive Classes

An Artistic Class Newcomer: Shelby Fraser

In her debut as an exhibitor at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few years ago, Shelby Fraser took a second-place ribbon as a novice in the Medium Niche class. Initially a bit intimidated, Shelby commented on her surprise victory, “I was so excited that I could exhibit at the largest flower show in the world—and then to win a ribbon on top of that. It was a thrill.”

Excited by the competition and encouraged by her success, Shelby—a photographer and owner of Sweet Peas Flowers in Philadelphia—returned to the Show the next year and tripled her entries with three Niche designs. In a departure from her first year’s entry, which won with a simple Asian style, Shelby went all out at her second Show. Alas, her entries captured no accolades and, looking back, Shelby is keenly aware of the irony implicit in her experience. Fortunately, she’s not in it for the ribbons. To her, it’s more about creative expression.

For Shelby, the “Defined Space” category in the Niche class represents both the challenge and the satisfaction of artistic achievement in design competition. “I like the challenge of thinking about a theme and then running with it. It reminds me of art school projects that are intellectually and visually challenging, but the materials are different. Here, I’m using living things. Finally, I try to convey how all of it works within the space.”

Shelby attended one of the special workshops that PHS offers, where experts discuss materials, techniques, and lighting, as well as offer tips for successful artistic floral design within specific dimensions. She also used an advisor provided through the meetings; in fact, she recommends this training and support to all Flower Show novices.

A Horticulture Class Legend: Lee Raden

Lee Raden has been exhibiting at the Philadelphia Flower Show since 1966 during which he has swept the rock garden, primula, and species bulb classes, stunning judges, exhibitors, and visitors alike with his exquisite gems such as Narcissus bulbocodium ‘Tenuifolius’ and Primula x loiseleurii ‘Lismore Yellow’. Lee is a plant lover who maintains his enthusiasm because he finds that “there's always something new, like the rare South African plants now available through seed exchanges.”

Lee loves the remarkable little alpines and rock-crevice plants that he grows from seed. It's a long-term commitment because germination often requires two-to-three years followed by another five years of growing on to flowering size. He notes, “Forcing species material is an art form. You must look at them every day and ask yourself, ‘Are they too wet, too dry?’”

In the game of tricking plants to bloom out of season, a coldframe is standard equipment. Like other exhibitors, Lee uses coldframes and the deeper bulb frames (approximately 4-1/2 feet) for both protecting seedlings and chilling pots of hardy bulbs, shrubs, and perennials.

Providing proper conditions in which the mountain species thrive is Lee's greatest challenge, especially keeping the alpines cool—a Herculean task during our hot, humid Philadelphia summers. Lee mitigates the extreme heat and cold in his 8-foot by 22-foot “lean-to” alpine house, which is equipped with evaporative cooling fans and protected by 62% shade cloth from April 1 to October 30.

Lee advises prospective exhibitors “to join a plant society or garden club, attend its educational meetings, meet others who share your enthusiasm for specific plants, get involved with seed exchanges, and start growing your favorite plants.” Committed to sharing seed, bulbs, and plants with other growers, his adage “share it or lose it” translates into a true gardener’s spirit of generosity.

(Stories by Judy McKeon)