Blog  March 31, 2010

Congrats to Parklane, SEED Award Winner

Parklane’s winning display at Canada Blooms 2010.

When Evergreen teamed up with Canada’s largest garden and flower festival, Canada Blooms, our ambition was to empower gardeners and advance green landscaping and gardening techniques to the gardening community. People visiting our exhibit were keen to learn more about how we could help them adopt more sustainable gardening practices. And while discussion was enthusiastic around our resource-rich Native Plant Database and our soon-to-be-opened Garden Centre at Evergreen Brick Works, the biggest buzz came from the Evergreen Brick Works SEED award for greenest exhibit. (SEED = Sustainability, Education, Environment, Design.)

Parklane’s cob hut, complete with green roof.

The judges agreed that it was a tough field, with so many excellent, environmentally-conscious exhibits. But in the end, the vote for the exhibit with the inspiring Hobbit-like grotto built out of cob, green roof and edible salad garden was unanimous. Congratulations to Parklane for winning the Evergreen Brick Works SEED award at Canada Blooms!

It was an exhibit that impressed judge Frankie Flowers so much he said: “To build a sustainable future, we’re going to have to borrow and update some old-school techniques from the past!”

“Four years ago there was only one green roof on display at Canada Blooms,” said Anna van Maris, President of Parklane. “Now there are many. I’m encouraged to see sustainability practices taking root in the gardening and landscaping community, and I’m looking forward to sharing Parklane’s knowledge and expertise in Toronto’s backyard at Evergreen Brick Works.”

Heidi Campbell, Senior Designer, Evergreen Learning Grounds echoed the sentiment of all the judges: “It was inspiring to see so many exhibits with innovative green ideas in practice. From design to materials, these exhibits encourage others to embrace eco-friendly home landscaping practices. Congratulations to all.”

With the award comes the invitation to Parklane to build an exhibit at Evergreen Brick Works, with $10,000 going towards the hard costs of the build. We’re hoping that by showcasing Parklane’s work, Canadians and visitors (and kids!) will be inspired to adopt more sustainable gardening practices.

5 Runner-up Finalists

Displays from the five other finalists. Clockwise from upper left: DA Gracey & Associates, City of Toronto, Toronto Botanical Garden, Oriole Landscaping, CPAR/OCAD.

DA Gracey & Associates – rock walls and wine cellar. The creativity was incredible, with old stone fencing and the harrow theme woven into it. The most alluring part was the herb garden harvest table that invited you to sit down and enjoy a glass. You could almost imagine picking the herbs to sprinkle over a stone fired pizza feast on the spot.

CPAR/OCAD – helping farmers in Africa grow medicinal gardens. Gardening from a global perspective, and with tropical plants grown at The Stop!

Toronto Botanical Garden – used lettuce as ornamental, and nice how the (edible) flowers and usual edibles were grouped together. Also an inspiring roof garden, and efficient use of space.

Oriole Landscaping – innovative fencing and a wink to turf alternatives with a push mower sculpture. The well-thought-through eco-pool encouraged one to take a swim.

City of Toronto – inspiring for the homeowner. Loaded with great lessons and holistic in their approach.

Judges

Heidi Campbell, Senior Designer, Landscape Architect for Evergreen’s Learning Grounds
Frank Ferragine, Weather and Gardening Specialist at Citytv
Lorraine Johnson, author and teacher
Frank Kershaw, past director of planning and research with Toronto’s Culture and Tourism Department
Karen Lewis, manager of HR and Sustainability Burt’s Bees Canada
Erin McLaughlin, editor of Canadian Gardening Magazine