Garden Contest

Each summer we search for Toronto’s most beautiful gardens in multiple categories. Hundreds of Toronto neighbourhood gardens are nominated for a chance to win prizes.

How to nominate

Nominations closed on July 16, 2019.

All gardens must be visible to the public.

  • Residential – Traditional may have some lawn
  • Residential – Environmental/Pollinator Habitat, must have little/no lawn and are environmental/alternative gardens
  • High-Density Residential, like condos and apartments
  • Commercial, like non-residential businesses
  • Community, like schools and churches

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 disease 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

Prizes included Mark Cullen’s Mark’s Choice gardening supplies from Home Hardware and the winning gardens were recognized at an awards ceremony.

Photos from 2018

Colourful chairs and a table are surrounded by beautiful flowers First Place: Traditional Gardens
A house with a red door peeks from behind a garden suited for pollinators First Place: Environmental/Pollinator Gardens
Vines climb a brick wall behind a colourful garden First Place: High Density Gardens
A pathway to a building, lined with gardens of white and red flowers and bright green foliage First Place: Commercial Gardens
A variety of different types of plants in the community garden First Place: Community Gardens
A garden of colourful cactuses Special Award: Cactus Garden