Sunset Dream Garden Awards: 2006 Contest Details

Western gardens are as diverse as their creators. Both professional and home gardeners entered the 2006 contest, judged separately.

Deadlines: Home gardeners – May 1, 2006; Professionals – March 22, 2006.

Categories

• Regional Style: Garden captures spirit of a specific area with climate-appropriate materials and plants.
• Incredible Makeover: Leverages existing features while removing undesirable elements. "Before" photos required.
• Best Personal Retreat: Seating, birdbaths, garden art create a refuge.
• Best for Outdoor Living: Space invites gatherings with fireplaces, play areas, kitchens.
• Best Small Space: Smart design in 2,000 sq ft or less.

Prizes

One Grand Prize, Second, and Third Place winner at each level (Home Gardeners and Landscape Architects/Designers). Grand Prize: $1,000 cash + $100 gift certificate. Second: $500. Third: $250. Winning gardens may be published in Sunset.

Eligibility & Rules

Open to nonprofessional home gardeners and professional landscape architects/designers residing in Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, or British Columbia. Nonprofessionals must design their own garden (not necessarily install). Professionals: residential projects completed Jan 1, 2001 – Jan 1, 2005.

Entry Requirements

Home Gardeners: Entry form, garden description, 2–4 pages of images (min 4x6″), plant list. All pages 8.5x11″, single-sided. Mail to Sunset Dream Garden Awards, 80 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025. Postmarked by May 1, 2006, received by May 8, 2006. No fee. Limit 6 entries per person.

Professionals: Application postmarked by March 15, 2006. Upon receipt, a contest binder is mailed for design statement, photos, drawings, plans. All components inserted into binder. Mail to same address. Postmarked by April 3, 2006, received by April 10, 2006. Limit 6 entries.

Full rules, judging criteria, and legal disclaimers included.