True to the “It’s a Party!” theme, the 20th annual Canada Blooms festival was a celebration of the green profession and the amazing possibilities the industry provides. Garden displays continued to be a major draw for visitors, and the professionals behind the varied and beautiful displays were recognized at an awards ceremony held Mar. 17 at the Unilock Celebrity Stage during industry night.

Feature garden judges included: Alistair Johnston ISA, Strybos Barron King; Jeff McMann NPD, ISA, CHT, TRAQ, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries; Martin Wade BLA, OALA, CSLA, Martin Wade Landscape Architects; Beth Edney CLD, Designs by the Yard; Carson Arthur, HGTV; Christine Gracey OALA, CSLA, DA Gracey & Associates; Michael Prokopow PHD, OCAD University; Peter Guinane, Oriole Landscaping. Conveners were Ron Koudys BLA, MED, OALA, CSLA, ASLA, RLA (MI), CLD of Ron Koudys Landscape Architects and Landscape Ontario’s Kristen McIntyre CHT, CEM.

At the conclusion of final award selections, each judge voted on their favourite feature garden by secret ballot, to be included in the tally for ‘Judges Choice Award,’ renamed for 2016 to the Tony DiGiovanni Garden of the Year Award. “I am inspired and encouraged by the level of detail and craftsmanship with the imaginative garden designs,” said Tony DiGiovanni, executive director of Landscape Ontario.

“The builders expressed their creativity and interpretive, artistic vision of the theme of ‘It’s a Party’ this year in celebration of the 20th year of the festival. Our talented teams of feature garden builders impress me more each year.”

The following results are the winning entries at Canada Blooms 2016.

B SQ Design Studio

• Unilock Award for outstanding garden, small size

Landscape by Lucin

• The S.G. Ulbright Award for outstanding garden, medium size
• Outstanding use of pre-cast pavers, presented by Permacon

Genoscape

• The Tony DiGiovanni Garden of the Year Award (Judges Choice Award)
• The Gordon A. MacEachern Award for outstanding garden, large size
• Perry Molema Award for outstanding use of water, presented by Aquascape
• The Leslie L. Solty Memorial Award for best overall creativity in garden design

Garden Retreats and QPS Landscape Professionals

• Outstanding interpretation of the show theme “It’s a Party!” presented by Isuzu Commercial Trucks of Canada Bancheri Bros
• Outstanding outdoor entertainment area

Jacobs Gardenspace

• Most imaginative garden design, presented by Niagara Escarpment Views

Near North Hardscape

• Outstanding use of artistic elements in a garden, presented by Hortus TV
• Outstanding outdoor living space

ORCGA and Fern Ridge Landscaping

• Outstanding educational garden

Royal Stone Landscaping & Design and AquaSpa Pools Landscape and Design

• Outstanding use of trees, presented by Gro-Bark Ontario
• The W.E. Bridgeman Award for best overall use of hard landscape elements

University Pro Landscapers, Paving, Pools & Spas

• Outstanding use of lighting

City of Toronto

• Outstanding use of interior plants, presented by Jill Jensen Botanicals
• The Garden Club of Toronto Award for best overall use of colour

Egreen Design

• Outstanding use of annuals and/or perennials, presented by Pick Ontario

Brydges Landscape Architecture and the Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association Team

• Outstanding use of natural stone, presented by Beaver Valley Stone

Unilock

• Outstanding use of walkways
• The Dig Safe Builders Award, presented by Ontario Regional Common Ground Alliance

Julie Moore Modern Landscape Design

• Outstanding use of innovative elements in a garden

Who Does Your Garden in partnership with Vital Gardens

• The Do-Up-The-Doorstep Award, presented by Oaks by Brampton Brick

Fresh Floral Creations

• Outstanding floral use of artistic elements, presented by Gatto Flowers

Opening Night Flowers

• Best overall floral quality and workmanship, presented by Fiskars

Alma Florist

• Best use of floral theme, presented by Bayview Flowers

Vandermeer Nursery and Earth Art Landscapes

• The PemierTech Award for best overall use of plant material

J. Garfield Thompson Landscape

• The Landscape Ontario Award for best overall quality of workmanship

 

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