The Preservation Society of Newport County has announced the winners of the 29th annual Newport Flower Show, which took place this past weekend at Rosecliff mansion.
The prestigious event, which benefits The Preservation Society of Newport County, recognized excellence across four main divisions: Botanical Arts, Floral Design, Horticulture Design, and Photography.
Top Honors
In the Botanical Arts Division, Leslie Purple and Alice Farley claimed the Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award, while also earning The Garden Club Excellence in Botanical Arts Award. Sue Cram was recognized with the Robyn Kauffmann Spagnolo Botanical Arts Award, and Peyton Wells received the Newport Flower Show Botanical Arts Award.
BOTANICAL ARTS DIVISION
Robyn Kauffmann Spagnolo Botanical Arts Award: Sue Cram
Newport Flower Show Botanical Arts Award: Peyton Wells
The Garden Club Excellence in Botanical Arts Award: Leslie Purple and Alice Farley
Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award: Carrie Wilcox
Newport Flower Show Novice Award: Melissa Bullitt
Janice Leary Panoff Botanical Arts Award: Marian Tomblin
The Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award: Leslie Purple and Alice Farley
The Floral Design Division saw Tracey Burhoe sweep multiple awards, taking home both The Corinne Clarke Reynolds Trophy and The Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award – Floral Design. Burhoe also earned the National Garden Club Award. Nell Carpenter and Jess Audette were honored with The Garden Club of America – Excellence in Floral Design award.
FLORAL DESIGN DIVISION
The Garden Club of America – Excellence in Floral Design: Nell Carpenter & Jess Audette
National Garden Club Award: Tracey Burhoe
The Newport Flower Show Novice – Floral Design: Sheri Donovan
The Bettie Bearden Pardee Award: Kirsten VanDijk
The Corinne Clarke Reynolds Trophy: Tracey Burhoe
The Preservation Society of Newport County Design Award: Michelle Mensinger
The Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award – Floral Design: Krista Smith
The Candace Morgenstern Design Award: Carla Morey
The Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award – Floral Design: Tracey Burhoe
Sogkonate Garden Club dominated the Horticulture Design Division, earning The Mrs. Robert M. Grace Best in Show Award and The National Garden Club Award. Jane Gamber was another standout, receiving both the GCA Certificate of Excellence Horticulture and The Gilbert S. Kahn Sweepstakes Award.
HORTICULTURE DESIGN DIVISION
The Oatsie Charles Award: Elaine Bakios
The Annie Laurie Aitken Award: Alice Thomas
The Mrs. Samuel M.V. Hamilton Award: Newport Garden Club
The Newport Garden Club Centennial Award: Donna Boulay
The Newport Flower Show Novice Award: Diane Williamson
GCA Certificate of Excellence Horticulture: Jane Gamber
GCA Certificate of Excellence Conservation: Prickly Ed’s
Bulkley Medal: Bartlett Tree Experts
The National Garden Club Award: Sogkonate Garden Club
The Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award: Diane Williamson
The Jocelyn Sherman Propagation Award: Libby Moore
The Gilbert S. Kahn Sweepstakes Award: Jane Gamber
The Mrs. Robert M. Grace Best in Show Award: Sogkonate Garden Club
In Photography, Marianne Conese captured the Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award.
Newport Flower Show Novice Award: Mary Jane Greenwood
Newport Flower Show New Exhibitor Award: Debbie Laverell
Newport Flower Show Best in Show Award: Marianne Conese
New Talent Recognition
The show highlighted emerging talent with several New Exhibitor Awards. Carrie Wilcox earned recognition in Botanical Arts, Krista Smith in Floral Design, and Diane Williamson in both Horticulture Design and Photography’s new exhibitor category.
Novice awards went to Melissa Bullitt (Botanical Arts), Sheri Donovan (Floral Design), Diane Williamson (Horticulture Design), and Mary Jane Greenwood (Photography).
Community Support
Bartlett Tree Experts served as the Presenting Sponsor of the event, with Taste Design Inc. sponsoring the Education Tent. Additional event sponsors included Atria Senior Living, BankNewport, Coca-Cola, David Harber, R.P. Marzilli Landscape Professionals, National Trust Insurance Services, New England Home Magazine, Proven Winners and Whitmores.
The 30th annual Newport Flower Show is scheduled for June 19-21, 2026, at Rosecliff.