The judging items and their methods were as described in the application guidelines, and we evaluated the entries in light of the detailed judging criteria, focusing on the main points of design, aging, proportions, etc., and directly feeling the design principles expressed in the works, the expressions of plant activity, and even the character of the works. As a result, most of the hanging baskets and containers exhibited this time were created beyond basic skills.

■ Judging Impressions
In my review of the year before last (2022), I wrote, "Many of the works were not conscious of being exhibited at Huis Ten Bosch, and were more suited to urban parking lots, parks, shopping streets, inns, and house entrances." However, this time that impression has almost disappeared, and the overall level of the competition has been raised a notch.
The award-winning works were based on a clear and excellent motivation to create, with additional ideas, taste, and technique, and were delicately and skillfully arranged with the highest level of floral artistry.

■For the future
Huis Ten Bosch I am looking forward to seeing more artistic and attractive exhibits, including the will to "compete," which means contest, in the highly entertaining space of the Western dream of "The World of Flowers". Huis Ten Bosch Let the beautiful hanging and containers on the stage of "Step into the extraordinary" in Huis Ten Bosch dance in circles as the focal point of the landscape. Huis Ten Bosch With costumes that suit the...
It has been more than 20 years since I was involved in judging the Canal Garden Contest in September 2002, and I believe the above.

This year, the weather was poor for several days leading up to the exhibition, which may have caused exhibitors a lot of stress.
Container gardening is simply about planting plants in containers and enjoying the plant arrangement, but in the contest, the technique, attention to detail, and skill are all important. The key is how beautifully you can arrange the plants.
Therefore, the container is an important way to show off the plant. For example, ready-made containers, new containers, painted containers, etc., tend to have a preconceived notion that they are commercial products or DIY items. I feel that attention to detail is very important in order to make the plant look beautiful.
The grand prize winning entry skillfully used an iron stand and wire frame to create beautiful curves, with the vessel placed in the centre of the space (the focal point), and the overall piece was a lovely, elegant piece that exuded lightness and grace.
The gold prize winning piece had a lovely yellow color tone, and while it was a delicate planting, it had a sense of volume, and the container was also tasteful, making it a wonderful piece overall that gave the impression of the accumulation of time and depth.

The Hanging Basket Contest in Huis Ten Bosch displays the artwork on a European style landscape of brick buildings. While there are many contests where you put your work on a lattice, this contest has a brick wall with your work displayed on it, and it is a wonderful contest that you can't find anywhere else.
The judging was based on the following criteria: (1) Whether the plant is vibrant. (2) Is the shrubbery density too high and it is suffocating? (3) Is the type of flower, the flower color not overused, and the color harmony beautiful? (4) Planting technology and cultivation method. (5) The presence or absence of a focal point.
The high-scoring works were good about the following things. (1) A work that matches the cityscape of Huis Ten Bosch against the background of the bricks on the wall of the building. (2) A work that is conscious of the focal point that expresses the theme. (3) The level of cultivation technology and implantation technology, in which individual plants are grown from small seedlings for time time, is high. (4) Combine the size, shape, and texture of flowers and leaves for a nice finish.
It's been five or six years since I was in charge of judging this contest, and I feel that the overall level is improving year by year. Even if you missed out on the award this time, I hope you will try again.