Maureen Fitzsimmons’ Best in Show champion display at the Electric City Flower Show on Saturday was a last-minute entry.
She didn’t evaluate the prospects in her lakeside Moosic garden until the day entries closed. Only on Wednesday did she decide her water lilies might be contenders on Saturday at the show on the grounds of the Everhart Museum in Scranton.
Fitzsimmons said some gardeners nurture specific plants leading up to the competition, but she likes the last-minute approach.
She won the lily category and Best in Show with one water lily bloom. It was only the second time she entered the show. “I was really surprised,” she said.
The Electric City Flower Show Best in Show 2026 winner was a water lily. (COURTESY OF THE ELECTRIC CITY FLOWER SHOW)
Fitzsimmons was a hospital administrator and nurse who now has more time for gardening since she retired. She has a pond jumping with fish and tadpoles.
In addition to the lily category and Best in Show, Fitzsimmons won two other awards.
The title of Reserve Best in Show went to Barbara Dehaba as winner of the Mason jar posy category.
Here is the complete list of winners in the adult division:
Rose: First, Mylla Supatan; second, Susan Potenzano.
Lily: Fitzsimmons’ first place was followed by Rachel Paukett in second place.
Peony: Christina Wolfe won both first and second place.
Perennial/Biennial/Annual: Fitzsimmons in first, with Ashley Paschke in second place.
Wildflowers: First, Gloria Dierberger; second, Fitzsimmons.
Artistic Arrangement with an America in Bloom theme: First, Rachel Decker; second, Wendy Mickle.
Electric City Elegance table centerpiece: First, Cathene Nardozzi; second, Sharon Mead.
Mason jar posy: First, Dehaba; second, Susan Potenzano.
Creative container: First, Kali Mellin; second, Wendy Mickle.
The flowers were judged by Christina Major, Tarry Truitt and Gretchen Ludders.
In the photo categories, Kimberly Weir won both first and second place for the “America the Beautiful” theme and Beverly Mizanty won both awards in the “Stars, Stripes & Scenery” category.
Volunteers are needed for next year’s Electric City Flower Show, scheduled for June 19. Potential volunteers should email ElectricCityFlowerShow@gmail.com.