In the spirit of highlighting Canada and the world's most dynamic garden experiences and Garden Tourism's limitless potential, the Canadian Garden Council, in consultation with a Canadian and international jury network, proudly announces the 2013 recipients of the Garden Tourism Awards.
The Awards were presented at the Garden Tourism Conference, held on March 18 & 19, 2013, in Toronto, Canada.
1. Garden of the Year:
Kingsbrae Garden, St. Andrews, NB
sponsored by Rain Bird Corporation
2. Achievement of the Year:
Canadian Botanical Conservation Network
sponsored by Canadian Garden Tourism Council
3. Botanical Garden of the Year:
VanDusen Botanical Garden, Vancouver, BC
sponsored by VIA Rail Canada
4. Destination of the Year:
Montreal, QC
sponsored by VIA Rail Canada
5. Destination Garden Centre of the Year:
The Enjoy Centre, St. Albert, AB
sponsored by Horticulture Centre of the Pacific
6. Event of the Year:
Mosaiculture International de Montreal, QC
sponsored by Canadian Tourism Commission
7. Festival of the Year:
Canadian Tulip Festival, Ottawa, ON
sponsored by Canadian Tourism Commission
8. Honourable Mention:
Garden Voices of Ontario's Historic Gardens
9. Initiative of the Year:
St. Albert Botanical Art City, AB
sponsored by Horticulture Centre of the Pacific
10. New Garden Experience of the Year:
Whistling Gardens, Wilsonville, ON
sponsored by Canadian Nursery Landscape Association
11. Promotion of the Year:
gardenroute.ca, Peterborough & Area, ON
sponsored by Baxter Travel Media
12. Person of the Year:
Dave Cowen, BC Garden Tourism Society/
The Butchart Gardens, BC
sponsored by Baxter Travel Media
1. Garden of the Year:
The Gardens of Trauttmansdorff Castle, Merano, Italy
sponsored by Rain Bird Corporation
2. Achievement of the Year:
Gardens Without Limits Conference, Moselle, France
3. Event of the Year:
Gardening World Cup, Nagasaki, Japan
4. Festival of the Year:
Ponte de Lima International Garden Festival, Portugal
5. Initiative of the Year:
Chelsea Fringe Festival, London, England
6. Promotion of the Year:
National Garden Festival, Buffalo, NY
7. Website of the Year:
gardenvisit.com
8. Person of the Year:
Richard Barley, CEO Open Gardens Australia
sponsored by Baxter Travel Media
Patrons of The Garden Tourism Awards are: Canadian Garden Council, Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA), American Public Gardens Association (APGA) and Garden Tourism Conference.
The Garden Tourism Awards are supported by: Ontario and BC Garden Tourism Coalitions, Associations des jardins du Quebec, Landscape Ontario Horticultural Trades Association (LO), Communities in Bloom and Jardins sans limites, Metz, France.
The Garden Tourism Awards are sponsored by: VIA Rail Canada, Baxter Travel Media, Canadian Tourism Commission, CNLA, Air Canada and the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific.
The Canadian Garden Council, founded in 2011, is the national umbrella body for provincial Garden Tourism Coalitions. Until it is incorporated, the Council operates as a committee of the Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA).
The Garden Tourism Conference takes place every other year in Toronto, Canada. In recognition of the importance of Gardens and garden experiences as tourism generators, it is the opportunity to showcase best practices of both the Garden and Tourism industries in order to grow both sectors. The next Garden Tourism Conference will take place on March 16 & 17, 2015. For more information, visit: www.gardentourismconference.com
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is a national federation of nine provincial green industry associations representing over 3,600 members in the landscape horticulture, retail garden centre, and nursery (primary production) sectors. www.canadanursery.com
American Public Gardens Association (APGA) Over the last six decades, the APGA has emerged as the premiere association for public gardens in North America. Today, APGA's 500 member institutions are located in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and seven other countries. The APGA is committed to increasing the knowledge of public garden professionals through information sharing, professional development, networking public awareness and research so they have the tools to effectively serve visitors and members. APGA's vision statement is to create a world where public gardens are indispensable. www.publicgardens.or
Larry Hodgson
Canada's Garden Route Spokesperson
Author of "A Garden Lover's Guide to Canada"
Bring the Kids!
Summer’s here and Canada’s public gardens are at their best. You know you want to visit them yourself – who wouldn’t want to stroll through a beautiful park filled with flowers – but maybe you feel you’re so tied up with your children or grandchildren you just can’t get away. Well, there’s an easy solution to that: bring them along!