WTGC FLOWER SHOWS: The West Trenton Garden Club tries to have a Flower Show every two years or so, alternating a spring and fall show. Our last show was held on May 19 -20, 2023, "Back to Paris." This show won many awards and received accolades from judges and visitors. Our next show is planned for September 26-27, 2025. This show will be entitled "Color Me Autumn." Keep checking this website and WTGC newsletters for more information on this show. In the meantime, get some inspiration from the below pictures of previous WTGC shows ("Back to Paris" - May 2023; "To Earth, with Love" - October 2017; "Jersey Blooms" - May 2015) and Garden Club of NJ shows ("Kaleidoscope" - February 2017; "Celebrate, A Party for the Senses" - February 2016 "A Garden of Authors").
WTGC Standard Flower Show "Back to Paris"
May 19-20, 2023
Mercer County Office Park
1440 Parkside Avenue
​Ewing, NJ 08638

The WTGC Flower Show "Back to Paris" is now a memory. The show was a huge success with so many positive reviews from our judges, members and general public. Many members participated in the show - there were over 150 horticulture entries, 28 Design entries, 3 judged Educational Exhibits, 2 Non-Competitive Exhibits, 8 Non-Competitive Designs by the Ewing Seniors, 12 Botanical Arts - Artistic Craft Entries, and 38 Botanical Arts Photography entries.
The show was open to the public and was well attended. The new venue - Mercer County Office Park - was very spacious. The Paris theme was well executed in all aspects - the staging, signage and schedules. Helga Fontus chaired this very challenging show. With her committee, they all worked endless hours to put this show together. All should be congratulated for a job well done. Thanks to everyone who entered or participated in the show. The success of a show this size is only successful with everyone's cooperation and participation. The schedule will remain on the website for future reference. Below are pictures shared by Jeff Tyrone and Diane Sanchez. Each photograph has a description (Class, award, etc.). Enjoy the photographs and memories of a great Flower Show!
The show was open to the public and was well attended. The new venue - Mercer County Office Park - was very spacious. The Paris theme was well executed in all aspects - the staging, signage and schedules. Helga Fontus chaired this very challenging show. With her committee, they all worked endless hours to put this show together. All should be congratulated for a job well done. Thanks to everyone who entered or participated in the show. The success of a show this size is only successful with everyone's cooperation and participation. The schedule will remain on the website for future reference. Below are pictures shared by Jeff Tyrone and Diane Sanchez. Each photograph has a description (Class, award, etc.). Enjoy the photographs and memories of a great Flower Show!
The FinalFlower Show Schedule:

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"Back to Paris" Show Overview
![]() Flower Show Entrance ![]() Eiffel Tower at entrance, with floral decorations by Ingrid Fair! ![]() Cake, made by Diane Sanchez, celebrating WTGC's 70th Anniversary! ![]() Eiffel Tower Centerpiece! ![]() Members during set-up. ![]() Overview of Artistic Crafts. Play Pause |
Division I - Horticulture Top Exhibitor Award Winners
![]() ![]() Jeff Tyron won the Horticulture Excellence Award, Grower's Choice Award and the Milija Lovett WTGC Award for his Vanda Coerulea in Horticulture, Section A, Container-Grown or Mounted Flowering/Fruited Plants.
![]() Anne Chmielewski won the Grower's Choice Award for her Terrarium in Horticulture, Section B, Combination Plantings. ![]() Dolores Brezak won the Grower's Choice Award for her Pony Tail Palm in Horticulture, Section C, Container Grown Foliage Plants. ![]() Maggie Kramer won the Grower's Choice Award for her Haworthia Pulima African Pearls in Horticulture, Section D, Cacti and/or Other Succulents. ![]() Ingrid Fair won the Award of Merit for her Paeonia lactiflora in Horticulture, Section E, Flowering Herbaceous Perennials. Play Pause |
Horticulture - Section A - "Container-Grown or Mounted Flowering/Fruited Plants"
![]() Section A - Container-Grown or Mounted Flowering/Fruited Plants - Classes in this Section were sub-divided. ![]() Section A - Container-Grown or Mounted Flowering/Fruited Plants - Classes in this Section were sub-divided. ![]() Top Award Winner - Class 2 - by Jeff Tyron ![]() Class 2 - 1st Place - exhibited by Gigi Mallepalle ![]() Class 2 - 2nd place -Eneyclia Bractesans, exhibited by Jeff Tyron ![]() Class 2 - 2nd place (90+) Phalaenopsis, exhibited by Carol Bozarth Play Pause |
Horticulture - Section B - "Combination Plantings" & Section C - "Container-Grown or Mounted Foliage Plants"
![]() ![]() Section C - Container-Grown or Mounted Foliage Plants ![]() Class 5 - 1st - Succulent Dish Garden, exhibited by David Chmielewski ![]() Class 6 - 1st - Foliage Planter, exhibited by Anne Chmielewski ![]() Class 6 - 2nd - Foliage Planter, exhibited by Gigi Mallepalle ![]() Class 7 - 1st & Grower's Choice - Terrarium, exhibited by Anne Chmielewski Play Pause |
Horticulture - Section D - "Cacti and/or Succulents"
![]() Section D - Cacti and/or Other Succulents Overview ![]() Section D - Cacti and/or Other Succulents Overview ![]() Class 16 - 1st - Aloe haworthioides - Exhibited by Jeff Tyron ![]() Class 17 - 1st - Crassula ovata (Jade) - Exhibited by Gigi Mallepalle ![]() Class 17 - 2nd - Crassula ovata (Finger Jade) - Exhibited by June Rosso ![]() Class 17 - 3rd - Crassula ovata ( Jade) - Exhibited by Linda Reasoner Play Pause |
Horticulture - Section E - "Flowering Herbaceous Perennials" & Section F - "Geophytes"
![]() ![]() Section E Overview ![]() Class 21 - 1st - Aguilegia (Columbine) - Exhibited by June Rosso ![]() Class 21 - 2nd - Aguilegia vulgaris (European Columbine) - Exhibited by Linda Reasoner ![]() Class 24 - 1st - Heuchera 'Pink Dancer' - Exhibited by Cecelia Millea ![]() Class 27 - 1st & Award of Merit - Paeonia lactiflora - Exhibited by Ingrid Fair Play Pause |
Horticulture - Section G - "Hosta" & Section H - "Rosa"
![]() ![]() Class 34 - 1st, Miniature Leaf - Exhibited by Rick Lazerick ![]() Class 35 - 1st, Hosta plantasnea - Exhibited by Linda Reasoner ![]() Class 35 - 2nd, Hosta 'Golden Tiara'- Exhibited by Gail Bassolino ![]() Class 35 - 3rd, Hosta - Exhibited by Rick Lazarick ![]() Class 35 - HM, Hosta "Stand by Me' - Exhibited by Rick Lazarick Play Pause |
Horticulture - Section I - "Coned, Flowering, or Fruited Cut Branches"; Section J - "Branches Grown for Foliage"; and Section K - "Seed Propagation Challenge"
![]() ![]() Class 44 - 1st - Ilex (Holly) - Exhibited by Maggie Kramer ![]() Class 44 - 2nd - Ilex (Holly) - Exhibited by Marcia Felcone ![]() Class 44 - HM - Ilex (Holly) - Exhibited by Terry Palise ![]() Class 45 - 1st - Rhododendron catawbiense - Exhibited by Linda Reasoner ![]() Class 45 - 2nd - Rhododendron indicum (Southern Indian azalea) - Exhibited by Terry Palise Play Pause |
Division II - Design Top Exhibitor Award Winners
![]() All of Design - Award of Design Excellence Award Winner - Pat Bowker. Pat won this Award for her design in Section B "Paris Walking Tours;" Class 4 "Paris Hidden Gems" ![]() Section A - "An American in Paris" Designer's Choice Award Winner - Helga Fontus. Helga also won the WTGC Mari Epley Award for this Design in Class 3 "Art in Bloom" ![]() Section C - "Bon Appetit" Table Artistry Award Winner - Sue Fair. Sue won this Award for her design in Class 5 "Cafe de Flore" Play Pause |
Division II - Design "Paris Art of Living"
![]() ![]() View of Class 1 - "The City of Light" - An Illuminary Design ![]() Class 1 - 1st Place - Design done by Iliana Okum ![]() Class 1 - 2nd Place - Design done by Helga Fontus ![]() Class 1 - 3rd Place - Design done by Ingrid Fair ![]() Class 1 - HM - Design done by Jeff Tryon Play Pause |
Division III - Education "The Paris Agreement on Climate Change" & Division IV - Sponsored Groups "Paris Tourist Office"
![]() ![]() Education Exhibit 3 - "Composting Naturally" - 1st Place, Educational Top Exhibitor Award & WTGC Audrey Harker Educational Award - Exhibit done by Anne Skalka. ![]() Education Exhibit 3 - "Composting Naturally" - 1st Place, Educational Top Exhibitor Award & WTGC Audrey Harker Educational Award - Exhibit done by Anne Skalka. ![]() Education Exhibit 2 - "The Return of the Native Plants" - 2nd Place - Exhibit done by Heidi Furman. ![]() Education Exhibit 2 - "The Return of the Native Plants" - 2nd Place - Exhibit done by Heidi Furman. ![]() Education Exhibit 2 - "The Return of the Native Plants" - 2nd Place - Exhibit done by Heidi Furman. Play Pause |
Division V - Botanical Arts "Paris Fashion Week"
Section A - "Galeries Lafayette" - Artistic Crafts & Section B - "Spring Color Trends" - Photography
![]() Overview of Section A "Galeries Lafayette" - Class 1 "Chanel" - A Shoe ![]() Overview of Section A "Galeries Lafayette" - Class 1 "Chanel" - A Shoe ![]() Class 1 "Chanel" - 1st Place, Exhibit by Pat Bowker ![]() Class 1 "Chanel" - 2nd Place (90+), Exhibit by Ingrid Fair ![]() Class 1 "Chanel" - 3rd, Exhibit by Camille Rainiero ![]() Class 1 "Chanel" - HM, Exhibit by Linda Gerasimowicz Play Pause |
The Photography Section had a total of 38 entries. Class 4 had 9 photographs (1st - Kevin Fair, 2nd - Lorraine Persiani, 3rd - Susan Fair, HM - Fredricka Billups). Other that submitted photos for Class 4: Harry Gamble, Ann Adomaitis, Anne Chmielewski, Linda Geiger, and Anne Skalka. Class 5 had 8 photographs (1st - Monique Bonnier, 2nd - Kevin Fair, 3rd - Lorraine Persiani). Other that submitted photos for Class 5: Harry Gamble, Ann Adomaitis, David Chmielewski, Linda Geiger, and Jo Ann Seaman. Class 6 had 11 photographs (1st - Lorraine Persiani, 2nd - Jeff Tryon, 3rd - Linda Geiger, HM-Linda Reasoner, Susan Chrystal, & Rick Lazarick). Other that submitted photos for Class 6: Harry Gamble, David Chmielewski, Lynn Aspinwall, Fredricka Billups, and Susan Fair. Class 7 had 10 photographs (1st - Linda Reasoner, 2nd - Lynn Aspinwall, 3rd - Kevin Fair, HM - Anne Chmielewski). Other that submitted photos for Class 7: Harry Gamble, Jeff Tryon, Ann Skalka, Linda Geiger, Susan Chrystal, and Lorraine Persiani.
WTGC FLOWER SHOW "TO EARTH, WITH LOVE" - OCTOBER, 2017
WTGC's FLOWER SHOW ​"To Earth, With Love" - The WTGC flower show was held on October 6 - 7, 2017. It was a huge success with great comments coming back from the judges and the public.
​The theme of this year's show was a "be kind to our environment" show - which was very evident in our staging. The staging committee tried very hard to stay within the "recycle and re-use" theme and it worked! The show was once again held at the Ewing Township Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ. Our next show is planned for the spring of 2020.
The show featured 55 Classes of Horticulture, 7 Classes of Design and many other exhibits - including 3 Artistic Craft Classes; a Photography Exhibit; a Competitive Educational Exhibit; 2 Invitational Exhibits; an outside sustainable garden display; a non-competitive "Garden Therapy" floral display and competitive youth classes.
The flower show committee would like to thank everyone who contributed in anyway to the success of the show. Please take a few minutes to look at some of the great pictures taken by some of our members.
​The "Book of Evidence" was completed and submitted for awards. Hopefully, our club will receive an award or two this coming June at the Annual State Awards meeting. There is very heavy competition this year - so keep your fingers crossed!
​​The schedule for the show will remain on the site for inspiration - "TO EARTH, WITH LOVE" just click below to open.
​The theme of this year's show was a "be kind to our environment" show - which was very evident in our staging. The staging committee tried very hard to stay within the "recycle and re-use" theme and it worked! The show was once again held at the Ewing Township Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ. Our next show is planned for the spring of 2020.
The show featured 55 Classes of Horticulture, 7 Classes of Design and many other exhibits - including 3 Artistic Craft Classes; a Photography Exhibit; a Competitive Educational Exhibit; 2 Invitational Exhibits; an outside sustainable garden display; a non-competitive "Garden Therapy" floral display and competitive youth classes.
The flower show committee would like to thank everyone who contributed in anyway to the success of the show. Please take a few minutes to look at some of the great pictures taken by some of our members.
​The "Book of Evidence" was completed and submitted for awards. Hopefully, our club will receive an award or two this coming June at the Annual State Awards meeting. There is very heavy competition this year - so keep your fingers crossed!
​​The schedule for the show will remain on the site for inspiration - "TO EARTH, WITH LOVE" just click below to open.

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2017 WTGC Flower Show "To Earth, With Love" Top Award Winners
![]() Winner of Grower's Choice Award - Div. I, Section A, Class 2 - Camille Rainiero ![]() Winner of Grower's Choice & M. Lovett Awards - Div. I, Section B, Class 5 - Diane Sanchez ![]() Winner of Grower's Choice Award - Div. I, Section C, Class 10 - June Rosso ![]() Winner of Grower's Choice Award - Div. I, Section D, Class 19 - Terry Palise ![]() Winner of the Award of Merit - Div. I, Section E, Class 23 - Dana Hice DePugh ![]() Winner of the WTGC Gardening Friends Award - Div. I, Section F, Class 29 - Joan Lippi Play Pause |
2017 WTGC Flower Show - Inside Entrance & Horticulture Division
2017 WTGC Flower Show - Design Division
2017 WTGC Flower Show - Outdoor Display & All Other Divisions
2017 GCNJ's Flower Show "Kaleidoscope"
GCNJ's FLOWER SHOW "Kaleidoscope" held at the NJ Convention and Expo Center on February 23 - 26, 2017 was a great success. Many thanks to all those that contributed in anyway to the show. WTGC should be very proud of their participation - Anne Chmielewski served as Chair of Horticulture, Helga Fontus was a Design Consultant and Pat Bowker served as Vice Chair and Clerks Chair. We also had a number of clerks and docents, plus those that entered in Design, Horticulture, Education and Artistic Craft Classes. Please take some time to check out the photo journals of the show below.
DESIGN DIVISION - "ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW" - Classes 1 - 8
DESIGN DIVISION - "ALL THE COLORS OF THE RAINBOW" - CLASSES 9 - 14
2016 GCNJ Flower Show "CELEBRATE! - A Party for the Senses"
Eleven members of the WTGC participated in the GCNJ's annual flower show last February! ​
Eleven members of the WTGC participated in the GCNJ's annual flower show last February! ​
​A great showing by the club and we should be very proud. The GCNJ 2016's show, "CELEBRATIONS! A Party for the Senses" was a huge success attended by many. Here is how our club members participated:
Anne Chmielewski was a Co-Chair for Horticulture and Pat Bowker wrote the Schedule and was Clerk's Chair. Both were there to help set up the show on Tuesday and Wednesday. June Rosso provided delicious brownies to the workers!
Janis Stia, Camille Rainiero, Helga Fontus, Dianne Dickinson, June Rosso & Gerree Pecht served as Clerks for the show, an interesting and fun experience.
Ingrid Fair, Iliana Okum, Pat Bowker and Helga Fontus entered the Design Division. Helga entered three designs (a table design, a still life design and a pedestal design). She won first place for her beautiful table design "Give Thanks" - a functional table for two. Pat entered one design, winning first place for her tray design in the class "A Mother's Day Tea," Iliana also entered this class with her beautiful rose inspired tea setting. Ingrid entered "In Honor of All Veterans" pedestal design with a beautiful red, white and blue design, earning a red ribbon.
Dianne Dickinson, June Rosso and Pat Bowker all entered the Horticulture Division. Both June and Dianne received blue ribbons for their entries. Pat received three second places.
Dianne Dickinson, Pat Bowker and David Chmielewski entered the Special Exhibits Division. Pat entered the Artistic Craft section by entering a botanically made purse in the class entitled "First Formal Affair," which won her a blue ribbon. Dianne won the top Educational Award for her "What’s a Poor Bug to Do? Bugs Like to Party Too" environmental display. David brought home two blue ribbons for his photography, one which won the GCNJ "CELEBRATIONS! Photography Award.
Thanks to all for their participation! Bravo to all, a wonderful job. Hopefully, more members will be interested in participating next year. It sure was a fun experience. Please check out the photographs below.
Anne Chmielewski was a Co-Chair for Horticulture and Pat Bowker wrote the Schedule and was Clerk's Chair. Both were there to help set up the show on Tuesday and Wednesday. June Rosso provided delicious brownies to the workers!
Janis Stia, Camille Rainiero, Helga Fontus, Dianne Dickinson, June Rosso & Gerree Pecht served as Clerks for the show, an interesting and fun experience.
Ingrid Fair, Iliana Okum, Pat Bowker and Helga Fontus entered the Design Division. Helga entered three designs (a table design, a still life design and a pedestal design). She won first place for her beautiful table design "Give Thanks" - a functional table for two. Pat entered one design, winning first place for her tray design in the class "A Mother's Day Tea," Iliana also entered this class with her beautiful rose inspired tea setting. Ingrid entered "In Honor of All Veterans" pedestal design with a beautiful red, white and blue design, earning a red ribbon.
Dianne Dickinson, June Rosso and Pat Bowker all entered the Horticulture Division. Both June and Dianne received blue ribbons for their entries. Pat received three second places.
Dianne Dickinson, Pat Bowker and David Chmielewski entered the Special Exhibits Division. Pat entered the Artistic Craft section by entering a botanically made purse in the class entitled "First Formal Affair," which won her a blue ribbon. Dianne won the top Educational Award for her "What’s a Poor Bug to Do? Bugs Like to Party Too" environmental display. David brought home two blue ribbons for his photography, one which won the GCNJ "CELEBRATIONS! Photography Award.
Thanks to all for their participation! Bravo to all, a wonderful job. Hopefully, more members will be interested in participating next year. It sure was a fun experience. Please check out the photographs below.
DIVISION I - DESIGN - "OH THOSE HOLIDAY PARTIES!"
DIVISION II - HORTICULTURE - "WENT TO A GARDEN PARTY..."
​DIVISION III - SPECIAL EXHIBITS - "A LIFETIME OF CELEBRATIONS"
2015 WTGC "JERSEY BLOOMS"
The 2015 West Trenton Garden Club Flower Show "Jersey Blooms" was held at the Ewing Township Senior and Community Center, 999 Lower Ferry Road, Ewing, NJ on May 1st and 2nd. It was a very exciting and successful event with many members and non-members participating.
This show featured 37 Classes of Horticulture, 7 Classes of Design and a very diverse Special Exhibits Division, which included 3 Artistic Craft Classes; a Photography Exhibit; a Competitive Educational Exhibit; 2 Invitational Exhibits (one on Butterflies and the BeeGAP Project & the other on the Ewing Green Team); a temporary outside garden display by "forever in bloom" and Yarnell Landscaping; a non-competitive "Garden Therapy" floral display and the highlight of the show - the two competitive youth classes (from Lore and Parkway Elementary Schools).
Please take a few minutes to look at some of the great pictures taken by some of our members.
This show featured 37 Classes of Horticulture, 7 Classes of Design and a very diverse Special Exhibits Division, which included 3 Artistic Craft Classes; a Photography Exhibit; a Competitive Educational Exhibit; 2 Invitational Exhibits (one on Butterflies and the BeeGAP Project & the other on the Ewing Green Team); a temporary outside garden display by "forever in bloom" and Yarnell Landscaping; a non-competitive "Garden Therapy" floral display and the highlight of the show - the two competitive youth classes (from Lore and Parkway Elementary Schools).
Please take a few minutes to look at some of the great pictures taken by some of our members.
Top Award Winners
![]() Award of Design Excellence & Grower's Choice Award - David Chmielewski - Sec. B, Class 6 - A Terrarium ![]() Grower's Choice Award Winners - Left - June Rosso - Sec. A, Class 3 - Cyclamen & Right - David Chmielewski - Sec B, Class 6 ![]() Grower's Choice Award Winner - Patti Bowman - Sec. C, Class 9 - Davallia fejeensis (Rabbit's foot fern) ![]() WTGC "Gardening Friends Award" - Anna Adomaitis - Class 14b Echeveria 'Sagaita' ![]() Award of Merit - Janis Stia - Sec. E, Class 16 Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) ![]() Award of Merit - Camille Rainiero - Sec. F, Class 24a - WTGC Challenge Tulipa 'Mistress' Play Pause |
DIVISION I - HORTICULTURE - "NJ - The Garden State"
Hover over the picture for a class description.
DIVISION II - DESIGN "FAVORITE PLACES, FAMOUS FACE"
SECTION A "Favorite NJ Dining Spots"
SECTION A "Favorite NJ Dining Spots"
SECTION B "Exploring the State" & SECTION C "George Slept Here"
DIVISION III - SPECIAL EXHIBITS "Discover NJ" - SECTIONS A - "NJ Events & Celebrations", B - "NJ - Picture Perfect", C - "Our Environment", D - "NJ Cares", E - "Enjoying Life in NJ" & F - "Our Gardens"
![]() Class 1 - Shoe "The Miss America Shoe Us Your Shoe Parade" - 1st Place - Camille Rainiero ![]() Class 1 - Shoe - 2nd Place ![]() Class 1 - Shoe - 3rd Place ![]() Class 1 - Shoe - HM ![]() Section A "NJ Events & Celebrations" - Class 2 "Victorian Weekend in Cape May" ![]() Class 2 - 1st Place - Anne Chmielewski Play Pause |
DIVISION III - SPECIAL EXHIBITS - SECTION G "A Great Adventure" - Youth Exhibit
FLOWER SHOW - MISCELLANEOUS PICTURES - JUDGING, SIGNAGE, MEMBERS, ETC.
2015 GCNJ FLOWER SHOW
This year's New Jersey Flower & Garden Show "A Garden of Authors" was a huge success! This show, chaired by Jeannie Geremia, was held on February 12 - 15, 2015. Hopefully, many of you were able to attend. Our very own Helga Fontus took home a Table Artistry Award for her Type I Exhibition Table design. Below is a picture of Helga's design.
Here are some photographs of the GCNJ Design Division of the show. Congratulations to all the winners.
Below are some of the GCNJ Horticulture winners and exhibits at the show.
Below are photographs of the GCNJ Special Exhibit Division.
GCNJ Flower Show - Other Show Photos ---- People, Staging, etc.

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Below are some of the top winners of the WTGC 2012 Flower Show.