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!

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Gold Sponsor:

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