News

March 12, 2010

Evergreen teams up with Canada Blooms

More and more gardeners are learning about the benefits of gardening with plants native to their region, and becoming more eco-conscious in their planting techniques.

That's why Evergreen has teamed up with Canada Blooms to host the first ever award for the "greenest exhibit". Aptly named the Evergreen Brick Works SEED Award (Society, Environment, Education, Design) it will go to the exhibitor whose display is the most environmentally inspired. The winner – picked by a jury of gardening experts and horticulturalists well known in the gardening community, landscape architects, pollinator experts and sustainability professionals – will be invited to design and build a plot at the soon to be opened Evergreen Brick Works.

View the Evergreen Brick Works SEED Award criteria →

Our Evergreen landscape architects and community gardening experts will also be on hand at Canada Blooms to answer all eco-related gardening questions, giving presentations on the Home Depot stage.

Visit the Evergreen Brick Works booth at Canada Blooms from March 17–21, to hear about our work in transforming an abandoned brick making factory into an environmental community centre, and about our soon to be opened Native Plant Nursery.

Learn more about native plants
Evergreen's Native Plant Database

Jury

A selection of gardening experts and horticulturalists well known in the gardening community, landscape architects, pollinator experts and sustainability professionals have been invited to join the jury. A number have confirmed. In total, there will be 5–7 jury members.

Criteria

Design and Plant Choice

• Creativity and aesthetics
• Use of native species / edibles / medicinal
• Seasonal hardiness
• Attractiveness to pollinators, birds, habitat creation
• Alternatives to turf
• Water needs and conservation (e.g. rainwater handling, permeable surfaces, cistern, rain barrel)
• Interactivity/opportunity to engage public, children
• Level of feasibility and adaptability and uptake of concept to roofs, windows and the average home gardener

Build

• Responsible sourcing and re-use of materials

Maintenance

• Protection of soil (use of mulches, erosion control) and soil building (composting)
• Level or lack of pesticide use, fertilizer use
• Mowing, trimming, blowing requirements

The Jury will consider other environmental elements such as:

• Does the exhibit enhance group and individual experiences?
  • The landscape design includes spaces or small outdoor "rooms" to accommodate varied activities and to promote free flow of child play.
  • Pathways and small social gathering areas.
  • Amenities such as tree houses or natural play elements — sand/water, loose parts and shade.
  • Could have some grass for small children — ecolawn — that can be maintained if necessary with a push mower.
• Does the exhibit contribute to the reduction of the urban heat island effect? e.g. what is the percentage of plantings and shade vs. hard surface area?
• Does the exhibit consider alternatives to turf? e.g. edible landscaping such as vegetable gardens
• Is the exhibit energy wise? e.g. does garden utilize solar lighting, LED lighting, wind/solar powered pumps, windbreaks to lower heating costs, shade on south and/or southwest sides of dwellings to lower cooling costs?
• If known, what is the exhibit’s carbon footprint? This would take into consideration the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with the materials, build and maintenance of the proposed designs.

Back to top ↑