Judging the Gardens

JUDGING SAN FRANCISCO LANDSCAPE DISPLAY GARDENS

The Show gardens are judged by three California-based experts from the field of landscape architecture and garden design. The judging takes place on Tuesday, March 23rd, the day before the show opens to the public. Show attendees get to judge too, by choosing their favorite garden for the popular “People’s Choice Award.” The show judges for 2010 (who will also present seminars in our Seminar Series) are:

Pamela Berstler - CEO, Design Principle, Flower to the People, Inc., TV host, Los Angeles, CA

Since 1997, Pamela has guided her exterior design business by being dedicated to the principle that creating a sustainable garden is perhaps the most powerful individual political statement of the 21st Century. In addition to being a sought-after speaker and author, Pamela is the designer host of Discovery Channel's series Rally Round the House, and repeatedly has been the winning designer on HGTV's Landscaper's Challenge. Although Pamela has fond memories of gardening side-by-side with her mother and grandparents on their urban organic Pennsylvania property, her love of the earth was rekindled during her experience reclaiming her own Southern California garden. Building a design practice in Cape Cod has reinforced her dedication to zero-runoff, natural "urban wilderness" and sustainable design. Pamela is an active member of both the Association of Professional Landscape Designers (APLD) and the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA). Website: www.flowertothepeople.com

Maureen Gilmer - Designer & author, Palm Springs, CA

Maureen Gilmer’s early years in California landscape architecture includes California’s most prestigious firms, and later her own design office lends a strong aesthetic sense to all her work. As author and photographer, Maureen has published seventeen books on gardening, landscape design and the environment, and has freelanced for most industry and consumer magazines. Her newest books, Palm Springs-Style Gardening and The Small Budget Gardener will be released by Cool Springs Press in early 2010. She is also the author of Gaining Ground (McGraw-Hill, 2002) and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to a Beautiful Lawn (Macmillan) and her regional books include The Complete Guide to Northern California Gardening . She has appeared on ‘The View,’and ‘Good Morning America’ and was host, project designer and coproducer for four seasons of Weekend Gardening, a weekly show aired on the Scripps DIY Network. Her weekly column, “Yardsmart,” syndicated by Scripps Howard News Service and United Media is in its fifth year and is distributed nationwide with color. Website: www.moplants.com

Bernard Trainor - Principle, Bernard Trainor + Associates, Monterey, CA

Drawing on over twenty years of academic and practical experience, Bernard Trainor is the founding principle and design director for Bernard Trainor + Associates in Monterey, California. Between 1985 and 1995 he practiced professionally in both Australia and Britain. The geographical diversity of these work/study experiences have in turn allowed him to appreciate the regional qualities and cultures of a place. Since 1995 California has been his home and the focus of his work. Bernard does not just design landscapes – his aim is to design spaces that will inspire people to connect with a place. He has lectured and written extensively and won numerous design awards in the process. Website: www.bernardtrainor.com

SAN FRANCISCO LANDSCAPE DISPLAY GARDENS AWARDS

San Francisco Garden creators are required to submit a Statement of Intent for their display garden. Gardens are not judged against each other, rather they are judged on how well the garden achieved its Statement of Intent. Four levels of medals are given – Gold, Silver, Bronze or Crystal. In addition to these medals the following awards are distributed.

Golden Gate Cup – most overall meritorious exhibit. Recipient additionally receives a rotating trophy. The main judges award the Golden Gate Cup.
People’s Choice Award – favorite garden as voted by the public. Recipient additionally receives a rotating trophy.
Garden Creator Award – garden voted the most accomplished by fellow Garden Creators.
Pacific Horticulture Magazine Award – garden that best demonstrates the regional nature of garden design.
Sunset’s Western Living® Award – garden most filled with fresh, useful, achievable ideas that enhance outdoor living in the West.
California Landscape Contractors Association Award – exhibit that best demonstrates the integration of horticulture with structures and other hardscape elements of fine craftsmanship.
California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers Award – garden that illustrates the dynamic scope of the nursery industry by integrating a broad range of plant material supported by garden accessories.
Association of Professional Landscape Designers Award – garden that best demonstrates plant knowledge, design skill, creativity and suitability to the hypothetical client.
San Francisco Botanical Garden at Strybing Arboretum Society Award – garden which best demonstrates best practices in sustainable materials, water use and design.
American Horticultural Society Environmental Award – a garden of horticultural excellence which best demonstrates the bond between horticulture and the environment, and inspires the viewer to beautify home and community through skillful design and appropriate plant material.