July 1, 2023
Categories
construction
lighting
marketing
maintenance
interior
design
irrigation
garden centre

Please note - the submitting company's personal residence may NOT be entered in to any categories.
Projects entered must be your customer's property.

Open for entry July 1 to October 1, 2023 (no extensions)
construction

Construction projects must have been completed no more than four years ago. Only commercial entries may contain client ID.

Judges will be using the following criteria: Originality, effectiveness and harmony of design elements, integration of plants and landscape materials, installation techniques and craftsmanship, execution of construction details, overall quality, horticultural compatibility and correctness, installation challenges encountered/site problems solved, appearance and ease of maintenance, unique use of plant material and overall impression. Projects must comply with building codes.
View the judge's score sheet.

Green Stamp: The judges will also award ‘Green Stamps’ to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes. Best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, energy conservation strategies, etc. will be considered. Please include information on how you incorporated these practices in your project summary, and highlight your sustainability efforts in your photos. May include Carbon footprint, input for lighting and irrigation, proof of electric equipment usage, onsite composting.

Residential Construction: Design/Built by your firm or in conjunction with an independent designer:
  1. Under $10,000
  1. $10,000-$25,000
  1. $25,000-$50,000
  1. $50,000-$100,000
  1. $100,000-$250,000
  1. $250,000-$500,000
  1. $500,000-$1,000,000
  1. Over $1,000,000
Commercial Construction: Multi-residential and industrial landscape construction - design/built by your firm or in conjunction with an independent designer:
  1. Under $10,000
  1. $10,000-$25,000
  1. $25,000-$50,000
  1. $50,000-$100,000
  1. $100,000-$250,000
  1. Over $250,000
  1. Special Interest Construction: A focus on one specific area of the landscape project. Unique or unusual use of concepts and materials — examples of hard or soft landscaping. Entries are limited to this category only and not overall commercial/residential construction categories, i.e. If a full project is entered into the $250,000-$500,000 category, you cannot enter just the cabana portion of the project into this category.  The judges have the right to move a project from the overall construction category to this one if they feel the project as a whole is not award winning, but a specific portion of it is.
  1. Water Features: Unlimited (eg. waterfalls, fountains, rain gardens, retention ponds, bioswales etc.)
  1. Place of Business: Your own business entrance as seen by your customers; NOT including your personal/private residence area. (Company name may be referenced in both images and project summary).
  1. Rooftop or Balcony Garden: Entries will be judged on feasibility of construction, best practices and overall visual impact. May be a residential or commercial project.
  1. Theme Gardens: This must be a permanent installation. Please state the intended theme. (eg. Butterfly Garden, Knot Garden, Native Planting and Biodiversity Planting, etc.) Theme must be predominant in overall appearance/design intent.
lighting

Lighting projects must have been completed no more than four years ago. Only commercial entries may contain client ID.

Entries must promote the use of landscape lighting, both low and line voltage, as an essential extension of the landscape plan, well integrated into its environment. View the judge's score sheet.

  1. Under $10,000
  2. $10,000-$30,000
  3. Over $30,000
  4. Holiday Lighting: Use of decorative lighting to enhance the property for festivals or holidays.

marketing
  1. a) Company Website: This category is open to all industry sectors as listed above. USE YOUR WEB ADDRESS FOR YOUR PROJECT NAME. Judges will navigate through your website. Project summary should include what you are trying to achieve with your site, and how it has helped your business. Please submit 1-3 digital images as a sample from your web site for use on the plaque/in the ceremony. (1-3 screen captures or pages).Criteria for judging includes: ease of overall navigation, Contact information (easy to find, all relevant info listed), Clear and concise information, Overall aesthetics, Promotion of Professional Membership of Landscape Ontario — ‘member of’ LO logo and link back to Landscape Ontario website. BONUS: why hire a Landscape Ontario professional explanation on website. View the judge’s score sheet.

    b) Company Social Media: This category is open to all industry sectors as listed above. USE YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLE FOR YOUR PROJECT NAME. Judges will navigate through your social media account. Project summary should include what you are trying to achieve with your social media account, and how it has helped your business. Please submit 1-3 digital images as a sample from your account for use on the plaque/in the ceremony. (1-3 screen captures or pages). Criteria for judging includes: Overall aesthetics, visuals and videos, clear and concise messaging, educational component, evidence of professional conduct, i.e. safety compliance, PPE.

maintenance

Maintenance projects must have been maintained for a period of not less than two seasons. Only commercial entries may contain client ID.

Judges will be using the following criteria: Originality, overall impact, quality of turf cut, turf health, edging and trimming, evidence of IPM/best practices, cleanliness of site, (ie. debris), pruning (proper technique) plant health and vigour and design. Close-up photos of work are necessary to judge accurately, i.e. edging, pruning, trimming, etc. Immediate disqualification for volcano mulch and poor quality photos. View the judge's score sheet.

Green Stamp: The judges will also award ‘Green Stamps’ to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes. Best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, energy conservation strategies, etc. will be considered. Please include information on how you incorporated these practices in your project summary, and highlight your sustainability efforts in your photos. May include Carbon footprint, input for lighting and irrigation, proof of electric equipment usage, onsite composting.

Private Residential Maintenance: Single Family Homes.

  1. Under 15,000 sq. ft. lot size
  2. 15,000 sq. ft.-1 acre
  3. 1 acre or more

Multi Residential Maintenance: Condominiums, senior citizen/nursing homes, townhouses, apartments.

  1. Under 2 acres (excluding parking)
  2. Over 2 acres (excluding parking)

Corporate Building Maintenance: Industrial Complexes, Public or Retail Buildings.

  1. Under 2 acres (excluding parking)
  2. Over 2 acres (excluding parking)
  1. Special Interest Maintenance: Residential or Commercial: A focus on a specific maintenance area featuring annuals, topiary, espalier, etc.
  2. Non-Turf Maintenance: Sites must feature maintenance on areas other than turf.

interior

Judges will be using the following criteria: (Design/Installation) design, creativity and aesthetics of the project. Emphasis on coordination, challenge and quality of work performed. (Maintenance) quality of work performed. Emphasis on scope of the project, maintenance schedules and procedures, and significant challenges. Projects can include interior green walls, tropical planting, shopping malls, commercial interior, etc.

Green Stamp: The judges will also award ‘Green Stamps’ to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes. Best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, energy conservation strategies, etc. will be considered. Please include information on how you incorporated these practices in your project summary, and highlight your sustainability efforts in your photos. May include Carbon footprint, input for lighting and irrigation, proof of electric equipment usage, onsite composting.

Interior Design and Installation: Focus on design, creativity and aesthetics of the project, with an emphasis on coordination, challenge and quality of work performed. Incorporate plants, containers and other elements to create an attractive and sustainable project.

  1. Projects less than $2,500 service value per annum
  2. Projects greater than $2,500 service value per annum

Interior Maintenance: Contractor must have maintained the project for a minimum of one year and must be the current maintenance contractor.

  1. Projects less than $2,500 service value per annum
  2. Projects greater than $2,500 service value per annum

design

Design only; does not have to be built.

Design entries will not be required to submit design boards. A copy of the landscape design will be required and will need to include the following elements to be judged;

  • Project name
  • Statement of design intent
  • Detailed plant list — proper nomenclature
  • Indicate north and include the city name for reference within the title block
  • Must include full set of working drawings to scale
  • including construction details and grading plans
  • Drawings in colour are strongly encouraged
  • Before pictures may also be included and after photos if applicable — for reference only
  • Designs should comply to building code and Canadian Landscape Standards
  • Projects that include your company name will not be eligible for judging

Judges will be using the following criteria: Overall design impact, execution of problem/solution employed, creativity/innovation, horticultural compatibility and correctness, aesthetic appeal, technical hardscaping aspects, elements and detailing, plant selection, organization and completeness. PDF or JPG of your designs are required for judging reference, as well as in the case that your project receives an award, we will use the photos of your designs to showcase your work. View the judge's score sheet.

Green Stamp: The judges will also award ‘Green Stamps’ to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes. Best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, energy conservation strategies, etc. will be considered. Please include information on how you incorporated these practices in your project summary, and highlight your sustainability efforts in your photos. May include Carbon footprint, input for lighting and irrigation, proof of electric equipment usage, onsite composting.

Private Residential Design:

  1. Under 2500 sq. ft.
  2. 2500 to 5000 sq. ft.
  3. 5000 sq. ft. or more
  1. Commercial Design: May not include submitting company's place of business.
  2. Planting Design: Must be less than 10% construction, commercial or residential.

Square footage references the area of the design only.


irrigation

Irrigation projects must have been completed no more than four years ago. Only commercial entries may contain client ID.

Judges will be using the following criteria: Quality of planning and analysis; effective use, presentation or programming of irrigation techniques and best practices; relationship to conservation initiatives, environmental responsibility; relevance to the irrigation profession; the public interest and the environment, functionalism, relationship to high efficiency context.

Only one award will be given in each category at the discretion of the judges, and reserve the right not to award in either of the categories.

Superior professional accomplishment using reclaimed or potable water. Construction site-specific works of irrigation consulting, design, and installation for commercial or public projects. For large incremental/phased projects, the first phase must be completed to be eligible for the award.

Green Stamp: The judges will also award ‘Green Stamps’ to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes. Best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, energy conservation strategies, etc. will be considered. Please include information on how you incorporated these practices in your project summary, and highlight your sustainability efforts in your photos. May include Carbon footprint, input for lighting and irrigation, proof of electric equipment usage, onsite composting.

  1. Water Conservation, Potable Water
  2. Water Conservation, Non-Potable Water
  3. WSIP Water Optimization, Region of Peel*
  4. WSIP Water Optimization, York Region*

*The Water Smart Irrigation Professional (WSIP) Program will be awarding two awards to WSIP Certified Contractors that have made a significant impact on reducing water consumption through irrigation system retrofits.
 


Employer of the Year Award
Open for Entry - July 1 - October 1

The goal of these Awards will be to recognize Employers of the Year and to promote better practices in the landscape and horticulture professions.​ After completing the application, a questionnaire will be sent to the applicant to forward to their employees. The top scoring companies will be recognized as an Employer of the Year. Company information will be remain confidential and employee responses will be kept anonymous. At the conclusion of the program, each company will be sent their overall scores based on feedback from their employees.​ Learn more about this new program here.
 

GREEN STAMP

The judges will also award ‘Green Stamps’ to projects that exemplify green practices, using quality construction, maintenance and design, in sustainable landscapes. Best practices such as use of permeable paving, native plantings, water conservation strategies, green roof technology, etc., will be considered. Please include information on green in your project summary, and highlight your sustainability efforts in your photos.


garden centre
Garden Centre Categories
Program currently being reevaluated for 2024

On behalf of the Landscape Ontario Garden Centre Sector Group, we would like to let the community know we will be taking 2023 off from running the Garden Centre Awards of Excellence program. We plan to use this year to reevaluate the program and to look towards creating something new that will get both the profession and the public excited.

With that in mind, we would like to extend an invitation to all LO garden centre members to provide input on the future of the Garden Centre Award of Excellence. What would you like to see included? What kind of program would you be interested in participating in? What can we do to create something that is an effective marketing and promotional tool?

We hope you will take a few minutes to provide your feedback.


Growers Categories
Currently being re-evaluated for 2024

PLEASE NOTE: All decisions made by the judging panels are final.

 

ENTER HERE

 
landscape at night
Green Roof construction
Green Roof construction
Green Roof
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