Awards of Excellence

For installation or contracting projects, it is helpful to the judges to include two to three “before” and “in-process” photos and explain the installation’s special challenges. For example, if access was difficult, show the judges how difficult it was, and how you managed the plant material. If you had to use heavy equipment or inventive ways to access the building, be sure to show this. Your photos and descriptions should focus on the installation and the final result, not the design or selection of materials. In addition, the judges will look at how you used the space, so be sure to provide photos that show the overall areas of the project, rather than only close up shots.

Interior Installation projects

• Under $25,000
• $25,000 - $75,000
• $75,000 -150,000
• Above $150,000

Exterior Contracting projects (Residential and Commercial)

• Under $25,000
• $25,000 - $100,000
• $100,000 - $500,000
• $550,000 - $1,000,000
• Above $1,000,000

Judging Criteria

1. Overall appearance –25% (includes design for D/B entries)
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Quality of all materials – 25% (for Interior entries, includes containers and silk/artificial/preserved foliage)
4. Appropriate scale and functionality in relation to structures/space – 25%

In this category, you must submit a photo depicting the landscape design plan (delete your company name from the plan). The entering firm must have created the landscape design as well as the installation or construction of the project. Your description should focus on the client’s request, and how your landscape design met his or her specific needs. Do not forget this is a design/build project — include two to three photos about the actual installation of the project and any special challenges.

Interior Design/Build projects 

• Under $25,000
• $25,000 - $75,000
• $75,000 -150,000
• Above $150,000

Exterior Design/Build projects (Residential and Commercial)

• Under $25,000
• $25,000 - $100,000
• $100,000 - $500,000
• $550,000 - $1,000,000
• Above $1,000,000

Judging Criteria

1. Overall appearance –25% (includes design for D/B entries)
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Quality of all materials – 25% (for Interior entries, includes containers and silk/artificial/preserved foliage)
4. Appropriate scale and functionality in relation to structures/space – 25%

For the projects in these categories, the entering firm must currently be managing the project and must have managed it for at least 12 months prior to the entry date. Photos should be taken at least 12 months after the firm assumed the project and must show sufficient detail to allow the judges to adequately determine the quality of the work performed. Be sure to include the date that the project was assumed on the entry form. You should show a range of photos that clearly portray the turf and/or plant material. Talk specifically about the project's scope and the maintenance procedures involved at the site - particularly if this involves some out-of-the-ordinary constraints. Give the judges information about disease and pest control programs, maintenance schedules, and any unusual or significant challenges associated with the project, and what steps you took to correct any problems.

• Housing
• Office and Industrial Sites/Hotels & Resorts
• Retail
• Institutional
• Multi-Use Properties

Judging Criteria

1. Overall appearance – 25%
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Appearance of turf – 10%
4. Appearance of trees – 10%
5. Appearance of annual color – 10%
6. Appearance of shrubs – 10%
7. Appearance of ground cover – 10%

For the projects in this category, the entering firm must currently be managing the project and must have managed it for at least 12 months prior to the entry date. Photos should be taken at least 12 months after the firm assumed the project and must show sufficient detail to allow the judges to adequately determine the quality of the work performed. You should show a range of 6-8 photos that clearly portray the turf and/or plant material. Talk specifically about the project's scope and the maintenance procedures involved at the site - particularly if this involves some out-of-the-ordinary constraints. Give the judges information about disease and pest control programs, maintenance schedules, and any unusual or significant challenges associated with the project, and what steps you took to correct any problems.

• Housing
• Office and Industrial Sites/Hotels & Resorts
• Retail
• Institutional
• Multi-Use Properties

Judging Criteria

1. Overall appearance – 50%
   1. Lush
   2. Thick
   3. Mower trucks in turf
   4. Setting/composition
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
   1. Obstacles to overcome
   2. Drainage conditions
   3. Sun/shade
3. Appearance of turf – 25%
   1. Weed free
   2. Health

For the projects in this category, the entering firm must currently be managing the project and must have managed it for at least 12 months prior to the entry date. Photos should be taken at least 12 months after the firm assumed the project and must show sufficient detail to allow the judges to adequately determine the quality of the work performed. Be sure to include the date that the project was assumed on the entry form. You should show a range of photos that clearly portray the turf and/or plant material. Talk specifically about the project's scope and the maintenance procedures involved at the site - particularly if this involves some out-of-the-ordinary constraints. Give the judges information about disease and pest control programs, maintenance schedules, and any unusual or significant challenges associated with the project, and what steps you took to correct any problems.

Judging Criteria

1. Overall appearance – 25%
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Appearance of containers – 10%
4. Appearance of trees – 10%
5. Appearance of annual color – 10%
6. Appearance of preserved/silk foliage– 10%
7. Appearance of live plant material– 10%

Photos must show the current quality of the work performed. "Before" photos are not required but are sometimes helpful to judges. The entry form must include the date that the project was assumed and the year the project received the Grand/Gold Award. PLCAA legacy members, PLANET members and NALP members who have received a Grand/Gold Award and have managed their project continuously for 10 years or more after receiving the Grand/Gold Award may submit their project in this category.

Interior Maintenance Decade Award
Exterior Lawn Care Decade Award
Exterior Landscape Management Decade Award

Judging Criteria

Exterior Lawn Care Decade

1. Overall appearance – 50% (lush, thick, mower tracks in turf, setting/composition)
2. Degree of difficulty – 25% (obstacles to overcome, drainage conditions, sun/shade)
3. Appearance of turf – 25% (weed free, healthy)

Interior Maintenance Decade

1. Overall appearance - 25%
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Appearance of containers – 10%
4. Appearance of trees – 10%
5. Appearance of annual color – 10%
6. Appearance of preserved/silk foliage – 10%
7. Appearance of live plant material – 10%

Exterior Landscape Management Decade

1. Overall appearance - 25%
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Appearance of turf – 10%
4. Appearance of trees – 10%
5. Appearance of annual color – 10%
6. Appearance of shrubs – 10%
7. Appearance of ground cover – 10%

For projects in this category, be sure the project you are entering is unique in some way or demonstrates creativity in selection of plant material and containers. The entering firm must have provided and installed all plants and containers and must have played a significant role in the design process. Your project description should focus on the client’s requests and how you satisfied them. Your photos should show the entire space where containerized plantings were used so that judges can realize their impact.

Interior projects

• Under $25,000
• $25,000 - $75,000
• $75,000 -150,000
• Above $150,000

Entries in this category are unique. You should show all phases of the project in your photos — before, during, after — and describe the process you went through. Be sure to explain the project’s intent and how you fulfilled the client’s requests. Also include in your project description the impact this project has had on the environment, and how you coordinated the work with any outside agencies. Projects in this category should contain similar values and functions of native landscapes.

Judging Criteria

1. Overall impact/benefit to the environment – 25%
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Accomplishment of project intent – 25%
4. Coordination of work with outside agencies – 25%

For this category, focus on the project’s unique aspects and the special challenges you overcame. These projects are defined as short term, such as seasonal displays, banquets, weddings, or exhibits, and must not have been completed within your own facilities (e.g., a showcase room or flower show held at your nursery for prospective clients). Include in your project description the project’s intent and how you satisfied the client’s requests.

Interior and Exterior Special Events

Judging Criteria

1. Overall appearance – 50%
2. Degree of difficulty – 25%
3. Quality of all materials – 25%