Gwynedd Pointe Homeowners Association
13th Annual Garden Contest - 2017
Winners
Co-Sponsored by the Gwynedd Pointe Homeowners
Association
&
The Rhoads Garden , 570 DeKalb Pike, North
Wales
We say it every year – it gets harder and harder to judge
the wonderful gardens in Gwynedd Pointe because there are so many great ones.
Congratulations to the winners, and to all of those who did not win, yet
contribute to making our neighborhood so beautiful! There were contenders on
every court and drive, but there could only be thirteen winners.
Grand Prize - $100 Gift Certificate for the
Rhoads Garden
2902 Harvard – You
can tell this is a showstopper even from a distance. Small footprint, but rises
diagonally along the stairs, pots being used to great effect to extend the
planting space. Garden overflows with variety and color (at night, too, with
judicious use of low-powered solar-cell lighting). Tastefully accented with
garden art and little creatures. All plants are well-tended, lush and healthy.
We saw verbena, dianthus, geraniums, impatiens, petunias, a gorgeous yellow
hibiscus, pink hydrangea, and canna. We loved the potted pineapple, which is
sprouting a baby, and the somewhat rare Sweet Olive Osmanthus.
Second Place - $75 Gift Certificate for the
Rhoads Garden
205 Signal Hill –
The front garden alone is worthy of honorable mention, with its bonsai looking
plants. It has a soothing Zen-like quality, with red as the only added color.
But for the first time, a rear-garden alone carries the day, as viewed from the
Knapp Road sidewalk (contest rules say space must be visible to passers-by).
From its raised bed border and bonsai-ish trimmings, birdbath and pagoda, to
the perfectly tended and healthy plantings, it is a delightful sight. We saw
pansies, sweet pea, stella doro lilies, lantern plant, and even the vegetables
(allowed in rear gardens in Gwynedd Pointe) appear ornamental, with harmonious waves
of various lettuces and chives among the flowers.
Third Place - $50 Gift Certificate for the
Rhoads Garden
6002 Rolling Hill
– Palms and hosta give this home a tropical flair. Interesting stump plant
stand at the door with a nice combination of flowers. A metal-work trellis is a
nice way to hide meters, and the tombstone brick border works well. We loved
seeing loads and loads of lilies. We saw hosta, ferns, marigolds, petunias,
impatiens and lobelia, too.
Honorable Mentions (in order by address) - $15
Gift Certificate for the Rhoads
Garden
405 Evergreen – This
gardener seemingly tears the garden apart every year, keeping some of the
elements (bench, spinner, and orange glass ball, but in new locations), and
adding some, such as the two frogs. Garden is extended through planters. We saw
impatiens, stello dora lilies, calla, coleus, hostas in bloom and marigolds.
The stepping stones change pathways yearly.
701 Evergreen – A garden
redone by a new owner. Nice colors from celosia, marigolds, New Guinea
impatiens, sedum, veronica, hosta and
dianthus. Beautiful salvia specimen in blue, and nice begonia in hanging
planter. Neat brick border.
805 Evergreen – This
garden has probably won more awards than any other in the development, but
keeps the judges busy by changing some of the elements each year. Perfectly
maintained and pruned. Catmint on stand in front of the house contrasts nicely
with red impatiens. Beautiful clematis on the side and some lovely roses. Beautiful,
healthy display of hosta accented with pops of color.
1001 Kenwood – Simple,
tasteful, and well maintained. We saw sedum, hosta, New Guinea impatiens, and
stella dora lilies. The garden nicely lines the walkway to the front door.
Judges’ note: There
are many splendid gardens along Signal
Hill, Evergreen and Kenwood.
1503 Liberty – Charming
best describes this new garden. Whimsical planters and lively colors make this
a most inviting scene. Blue fescue border is a nice addition to the flag, planters
and Welcome sign. We saw petunias, marigolds rolling out of a barrel,
impatiens, hydrangea, and calibrachoa.
3400 Carriage – Another
garden that is redesigned annually. Understated elegance. Very nice stone
raised bed, carefully planted. Urn planter looks lovely with yellow and red
calibrachoa and the bright blue salvia highlights the front of the garden.
Large healthy hostas contrast nicely with the blue and the half-barrel planter
adds a sweet touch with its little kittens. Love the dark mulch.
Judges’ note:
Several gardens on Carriage were
contenders this year!
4403 Congress – Lots
of time, effort and work went into creating this patriotic-themed garden. The
yellow and pink gerbera daisies look great with the bright blue pots (one way
of dealing with shade), and the theme is carried throughout the garden.
6400 Rolling Hill –
Nice entrance with the choice of pink as the accent color. Simple, tasteful,
tidy. Attractive arrangement of greens with dark mulch and stones and birdbath.
Judges’ note: The
collective heads of the judges almost exploded assessing the many wonderful
gardens on Rolling Hill! We did our
best.
6901 Colonial – The
door wreath plays off the colors of the planted flowers. Very warm and
welcoming entrance. Red roses and verbena look especially good next to the dark
green of the grasses. The violas contrast with the dark green as well as the
dull gray of the stone.
Judges’ note: There
should be a Hall of Fame for Colonial
Court. Just one example: notice how the 6600 to 6604 gardens work well
together thematically.
7205 Union – Cute
white fencing repeats the house’s trim and the yellow and red roses show off in
front of the white windows. Wishing well is covered with pennies. We saw
clematis, begonias, dusty miller, coleus, balloon flower and daisybush.
Special thanks to
Frank DePace of Continental Property Management and The Rhoads Garden for their
years of support, and to all the great gardeners that help to make Gwynedd
Pointe so attractive!
Disclaimer: We
did our best to correctly identify plants, but it’s not always easy.
Recommendation: Some
gardens are coming into their own in July this year, whereas in several past
years they were burning out about now. We urge you to walk around Gwynedd
Pointe and find your own favorites throughout the summer.
Go to http://www.gwyneddpointegardencontest.blogspot.com/
for contest rules, information on judging and lists of past winners.
