Garden Contest

Each summer we recognize Toronto’s most beautiful gardens. Join us in celebrating the 20th edition of the City’s Garden Contest by submitting your garden or nominating one in your community in one of five categories.

Nominations

Nominations for 2023 closed on July 17, 2023. Winners will be notified by mail and will be recognized at an award ceremony in fall 2023.

There are five categories.

Residential: traditional

May have some lawn.

A front lawn garden with bright green round box woods in a curved garden bed with green and red trees. There is a stone pathway in the left of the image the leads up to a Olivia green door on a brick faced home.

Residential: environmental/pollinator habitat

Must have little to no lawn and are environmental and alternative gardens.

A front lawn garden with deep green hydrangea plants without flowers and a two level black water fountain. In the background of the image there is a blurred out bright blue front door to the home.

High-Density Residential

Condominiums, apartments and co-operatives.

Tall bright and deep green camellia sinensis, box woods and fern plants in the entryway of a low-rise condo building.

Commercial

Non-residential businesses.

Low-lying green hosta's and grass plants with tall bright yellow daisy's in a stone garden bed.

Community

Volunteer-maintained non-residential properties such as schools, churches and ornamental community gardens.

Low-lying deep green coniferous shrubs and hosta's with a patio stone walkway through the middle.

Design

  • balance
  • originality
  • selection and arrangement of plants, trees and shrubs
  • design of traffic flow

Hard Landscaping

  • use of driveway paving and walkways
  • use of stones, rocks, statuary, containers
  • walls, fencing and water features

Condition and Maintenance

  • Cleanliness of garden and area
  • Free from diseases and weeds
  • Good garden practices
  • Suitable ground cover

Use of Plant Material

  • variety
  • spacing and balance
  • appropriate use of perennials and/or native species
  • use of colour and texture

2022 First Place Contest Winners