| The
BC Landscape Awards of Excellence
About the Program
The BC Landscape Awards of Excellence is an annual event coordinated by the
BCLNA to recognize and profile the high standard of landscaping excellence in
BC. The program began in 1981 as an opportunity for BC landscape professionals
to officially showcase their quality landscaping projects in a competition.
Today, this opportunity has grown to a rewarding, prominent event exposing
landscapers and sponsors to over 200,000 potential customers! This is a great
way for landscapers to market their services and skills by showing their clients
the passion and pride they take in their work. At the same time, sponsors
demonstrate their loyalty to the industry and to their landscape customers.
All projects entered into the competition are examined by a highly accredited
group of horticulture professionals, who thoroughly evaluate based on a broad
range of elements such as:
Installation
Projects
Quality
of workmanship
Quality & health of materials
Attention to detail
Overall design
Overall impression
Maintenance
Projects
Overall
impression
Turfgrass
Plant material
Hardscape
Attention to detail
Entries
are graded on a point system against specific criteria and
awarded accordingly in various categories (with values) including:
landscape installation, maintenance, interiorscaping, small
space gardens and more. The projects are traditionally
judged in late August or early September with the unveiling
of the winners at the CanWest Horticultural Show in September.
Awards are presented annually at the BCLNA President's Banquet featuring a special
landscape awards DVD presentation at the AGM & Convention in November.
A Landscape Awards of Excellence exhibit, showcasing elegantly framed photos
along with descriptions of the projects, is also featured at various public
home and garden shows. See what the BC landscape industry has to offer at these
inspiring exhibits!
The awards program provides landscapers with great marketing opportunities and
effectively encourages high quality landscape practices within the horticulture
industry in BC. This competition not only raises public awareness of
the BC landscape industry, but it empowers the public to wisely select a landscape
company. The BCLNA continually works closely with its membership and
awards committee to review and implement new and revised landscape standards
and expectations in order to keep the awards program current.
The BC Landscape
Awards of Excellence program is open to all landscaping professionals (including
non-BCLNA members) throughout BC. Each year, the Awards committee receives
an impressive selection of landscape projects from all over
the province. Get your project ready to enter in this year's
competition
For more information or to receive an entry package please
contact Annika by email or
by phone to 604-574-7772.
Become
a Landscape Awards of Excellence Sponsor ...
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About Entering
Plan in advance which landscaping projects you are entering to demonstrate to
the judges the effort and expertise it took to complete each transformation. First,
be sure that the projects will be in 'full bloom' around judging time (late
August/early September). Occasionally, with a 'young garden' it is better to
wait a year to enter. Once you have decided on the projects you want to enter,
start taking some 'before' pictures of the sites (always a good visual tool
to influence the judge's decisions). Finally, be sure to enter by the deadline
(usually the second or last week of August).
Categories for Submissions
Landscape Installation Single Family Residential:
Under $5,000
Between $5,000 - $15,000
Between $15,000 - $35,000
Between $35,000 - $60,000
Between $60,000 - $120,000
Over $120,000
Landscape Installation Multi Unit Residential
(No dollar value)
Landscape Installation Commercial / Industrial
Under $25,000
Between $25,000 - $100,000
Over $100,000
Landscape Installation Interiorscaping
(No dollar value)
Landscape Maintenance Single Family Residential
Under $ 7,500
Over $7,500
Landscape Maintenance Multi Unit Residential
(No dollar value)
Landscape Maintenance Commercial/Industrial
Under $10,000
Over $10,000
Landscape Maintenance Interiorscaping
Under $10,000
Over $10,0000
Small Space Gardens Residential/Commercial
(No dollar value)
Any individual project constructed on a balcony or similar small
space garden.
Unique or Special Feature (No dollar
value)
Any individual project where unique methods or materials are used,
e.g. hardscapes such as arbors, decks, gazebos, etc. Please describe
the feature specifically, e.g. native plant garden, water feature,
hanging garden, therapeutic garden, etc.
Download
the Landscape Awards entry package...
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Landscape
Award Winners 2007
Blasig Landscape Design & Construction
www.blasig.com
With a budget much more restricted than their wish list, we were to instantly
re-create the lush, year-round flowering, livable, private, low-maintenance
garden the clients had left in South Africa.
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Both water features on the property are 'pondless', and sit on re-circulating
water reservoirs. The waterless appearance adds to the mystery that running
water generally creates, reduces maintenance, and eliminates raccoon visits
and possible mosquito breeding grounds.
In the
front, cored basalt columns flow into a 'waterless' pond. The three columns
ensure that there is the sound of running water. In the rear, the formal concrete
pot on top of a basalt column is the focal point of the back garden, and a deliberate
contrast to the natural green setting.
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Botany
Bay Landscape Services Inc.
Tel. 604 951-0330
Spiky,
fresh, and new were words our clients used to describe the
look they sought. They wanted to update their interior landscaping
to complement new furniture groupings. Plants are used to define
seating pods, and the colours of both flowers and foliage were
selected to set off the carpet and bench colours.
Light
levels ranged from high to very low, but all groupings had to look
uniform and lush at all times, so it was important to select plants
that could tolerate the extremes in light conditions. The
new Sansavarius Cylindrical has generated a lot of interest
and the old Snake plants are new again to the young students
and shoppers. Central City reflects the revitalization of this community
and the plants and planters now reflect a vibrant new future.
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Pacifica
Landscape Works
www.pacificalandscapes.com
Originally a weed-infested and dangerously steep piece of property, it now functions
as a West Coast Resort style setting. The lowest deck provides storage and access
for a variety of water sports. Following an afternoon of swimming or kayaking
the homeowners can make use of the shower head nestled into the rocks to wash
away the salt water. After a quick shower it's up to the main patio level where
they can warm up around the cozy basalt fire-pit. A ccess throughout the property
has been gained with the construction of stone staircases, allowing previously
difficult areas to now be traversed easily.
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A strong theme was established which blends modern west coast style, rugged
natural topography, and the Asian-influenced style of the home, while also ensuring
the landscape is not overly refined. In many locations the rocky outcroppings
are highlighted and used as backdrops or focal points, and further emphasized
with landscape lighting. The curvilinear hand-carved concrete patios on the
main level have been formed into the existing rock outcroppings creating a strong
connection with the surrounding landscape. Along the western edges of the patios
they have been cantilevered out towards the water allowing for a sizable increase
in outdoor living space. Two decks have also been designed in a curvilinear
fashion to contour to the rocky outcroppings and once again maintain a strong
connection with the surrounding landscape.
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Para
Space Landscaping Inc.
Tel. 604 291-2800
The
Sterling is a 118 unit condominium building located in the heart
of Downtown Vancouver. It is maintained to a well-groomed standard,
which keeps Para Space busy as the building is located in a high
traffic area. The landscape is tended each week, ensuring that
it retains its well-manicured and impeccably clean appearance.
There are
many interesting elements within this landscape, including
the use of thick granite slabs which give the entrance a sleek
and clean feel, and water features at the front entrance. A
shady courtyard with various benches and ledges used for seating
proves to be an oasis for residents and passers by in the middle
of a very busy area, and there are some vibrant annual flower
displays designed by Para Space.
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ParaSpace Landscaping
Inc.
Tel. 604 291-2800
Natural materials were chosen in the walling and patio to allow it to blend
into its surroundings. A pondless waterfall helps block out the neighbourhood
noises while creating interest in the upper corner of the yard. A pergola
with multiple heights provides privacy while on the balcony or patio. Leveling
and sodding the bottom half of the yard gives the children a place to run and
play.
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The
Third Little Pig Contracting Ltd.
www.thethirdlittlepig.ca
The Third Little Pig Contracting company has maintained this garden since installing
it 4 years ago. People have said that you can plant too many variegated plants
in your garden and this company aims to prove them wrong. The maintenance practices
are as earth-friendly and green as possible. This garden is a magnificent
example of the power of variegated plants to provide drama and year-round interest.
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Watermark
Gardens of Vancouver
www.watermarkgardens.com
Watermark
Gardens is a three-time Award of Excellence
winner, and the first company to have won three awards, two
years in a row, in the history of the Landscape Awards.
Dunbar
Residence Since
Watermark was involved with the interior design and finishes
of their new home, the clients wanted to renovate their
rear garden into a beautiful outdoor living room. The limited
outdoor space provided a challenge to design a larger deck,
outdoor fireplace, water feature, dining area, small lawn
area for two dogs, and generous planting in beds and pots. The
existing design of the house provided awkward access to
the basement and limited deck space.
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The
new design included a reworking of the basement steps and window
well, a larger deck to serve as a second area for sitting and
for cooking, and an extension of the shed roof to provide more
shelter for outdoor activities. Privacy was a key issue
of the project, without making the space feel boxed-in or offending
the neighbours.
Quilchena
Residence
Watermark's clients, had recently completed their final interior renovations,
and wanted to have a welcoming front garden entrance, which would flow into
and complement the contemporary furnishings of the interior space. Professionals
who frequently host large parties, they welcomed the idea of being able to use
the front garden to entertain or relax in. Their existing pond was in
poor condition, including leaks and cracking stonework. Given the state
of the existing garden, that was over planted with large broadleaf evergreens,
the clients wanted to maintain a private and enclosed feeling.
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The
new garden is designed to be a contemporary courtyard garden, incorporating
changing grades only at the entry and exits to maximize the patio space from
which one can sit and watch the water wall, pond and unique plantings.
Kits
Point Residence
On the rear, south-facing terrace, the mandate was for privacy from the houses
across the street. New porcelain tile surfacing, custom steel planters
and a unique steel and glass water feature were designed to blend seamlessly
with the existing railings and architectural detailing. The planting
provided visual screening and a green backdrop for the Richard Shultz furnishings.
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The front, upper terrace, which affords an amazing view of English Bay, has
become Watermark's clients' favourite evening hang-out. With a full-length
outdoor sectional sofa and a custom stainless steel fire pit, they are able
to entertain or lounge by the fire long into the evening.
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Become
a Landscape Awards Sponsor!
Become
a Landscape Awards of Excellence sponsor and showcase your
company in association with the industry's best landscape professionals!
Also take advantage of excellent promotion through press releases,
Vancouver Sun awards, the awards ceremony, and award-winner
showcases at various public and trade shows.
Download
the Sponsorship Package for the Landscape Awards...
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Thank
You to all our Sponsors!
Premier Sponsors:
.
Gold
Sponsor:

Standard
Sponsors:
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