2017 WINNERS

Gwynedd Pointe Homeowners Association

13^th Annual Garden Contest - 2017 Winners

Co-Sponsored by the Gwynedd Pointe Homeowners Association

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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.