Aos judging in a nutshell:
Does it fill a circle with flat flower parts?
Is its color clean, with a minimum of bleeding from one color to the next?
Is it large?
Is it floriferous?
Does it have a long, strong stem?
Remember that aos judging is based on judging corsages 70 years ago, and, while you may have different ideas about what makes an awardable flower, the aos tries to be consistent with its historical framework.
Based on these criteria, #2 does not fill a circle with flat parts and has a weak stem. #1 has washed out, indistinct color. Both are lovely flowers, and each has significant positive merits, but neither is awardable on the photographed flowerings.
Does it fill a circle with flat flower parts?
Is its color clean, with a minimum of bleeding from one color to the next?
Is it large?
Is it floriferous?
Does it have a long, strong stem?
Remember that aos judging is based on judging corsages 70 years ago, and, while you may have different ideas about what makes an awardable flower, the aos tries to be consistent with its historical framework.
Based on these criteria, #2 does not fill a circle with flat parts and has a weak stem. #1 has washed out, indistinct color. Both are lovely flowers, and each has significant positive merits, but neither is awardable on the photographed flowerings.