2026 WINNERS

 

2026 WINNERS

 

Gwynedd Pointe Homeowners Association

22nd Annual Garden Contest - 2026 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. 

If you are wondering what the judges look for, see the criteria at http://gwyneddpointegardencontest.blogspot.com/2016/05/. 

Primarily, we consider the five Fs of great garden design: form, foliage, flowers, fruits (bird food) and fragrance. Good maintenance is also important.

There are a dozen or more gardeners with gorgeous displays each year. In the spirit of encouraging newer gardeners, and because we only have thirteen prizes, we can’t always provide the recognition they deserve. We all know who they are – we see their handiwork – and hope they know we appreciate their contributions to the attractiveness of our community. And remember to judge for yourself, as that is part of the fun! We won’t be upset if you disagree with our choices.

As usual, the weather was the big story again this year. We started with a cold Spring, wondering whether Summer would ever arrive. And when it did, it was like a blast of heat from a furnace. Mother Nature isn't on anyone's schedule.

We saw many gardens that worked our nation's semiquincentennial into their garden displays with American flags and red, white, and blue flower themes.

This year's winners:

Grand Prize - $100 Gift Certificate for the Rhoads Garden

6104 Rolling Hill

Second Place – $75 Gift Certificate for the Rhoads Garden

6105 Rolling Hill

Third Place - $50 Gift Certificate for the Rhoads Garden

200 Signal Hill

Honorable Mentions (in order by address) - $15 Gift Certificate for the Rhoads Garden 

400 Evergreen

805 Evergreen

1004 Kenwood

1102 Kenwood

1501 Liberty

1901 Harvard

4403 Congress

4503 Congress

6500 Rolling Hill

7203 Union

Thank you to Christian Cooper of Continental Property Management, our HOA board, The Rhoads Garden, and the judges for their years of support.

For contest rules and lists of past winners, go to http://www.gwyneddpointegardencontest.blogspot.com/. Happy gardening!

Winners: expect to receive your prizes in the mail in the next few weeks.

Judges' Comments and Photos (Click on images to enlarge them.)

1st - 6104 Rolling Hill

There used to be a sign in the yard that said, "Greg's Garden." That's gone, replaced by one reading, "Ginger's Garden." Whoever she is, Ginger is also a fabulous gardener for a garden that gets better every year. Impeccably kept and super colorful. Contains at least three of the five Fs (form, foliage, flowers) in droves. 

2nd - 6105 Rolling Hill

It is hard to believe that this fabulous garden is adjacent to the one that received first place: both are such strong contenders! The gardener has kept the focus the last couple of years on the wonderful blue fountain. Form, foliage and flowers carry the day, along with strong geometric patterns that vary and surprise us every year. 

3rd - 200 Signal Hill Garden

Fairly new garden that gets better each year! The front of this corner property is a tour de force, and the beauty extends down the side, and even across the back where it can be seen from Knapp Road.

Honorable Mentions, in order by address

HM - 400 Evergreen

This gardener/artist changes the garden around every year. The shape of the garden is particularly effective, and everything is nicely placed. Form and foliage reign here.

HM - 805 Evergreen

This gardener always has a strong showing, with exquisite attention paid to detail.

HM - 1004 Kenwood

A nice simplicity of form in this garden. The front and side garden are separated, but they work so well together.

HM - 1102 Kenwood

A nice clean look, and a similar aesthetic to the neighbor above. The jaggedness of the border is a good foil to the neatness of the garden.

HM - 1501 Liberty

 

The judges recall an overgrown tree dominating this garden in years past. The gardener makes great use of the space made possible by the tree's removal.

HM - 1901 Harvard

The judges believe this is a newer garden, and it is off to a great start. A bit of a shade garden and some plants that like partial shade. Nice stone border.

HM - 4403 Congress

This patriotic garden is surely fitting as the USA celebrates its 250th anniversary. And just as surely, it makes busyness work. 

HM - 4503 Congress

The judges love this garden. It shows that you don't need a lot of space to make a statement. The key is making strong choices , such as the wonderful orange Calla Lily, and good maintenance. Also, to the right side as we look at it, there are the white stones leading to the bird bath, fooling the eye into creating an illusion of more space than there really is.

HM - 6500 Rolling Hill

This garden has been a contender from the earliest days of our contest. This year is no exception. There is a lot of visual variety to take in, yet it all works together seamlessly. Vines. Non-plant fixtures. Form, foliage, and flowers!

HM - 7203 Union

A wonderful shade garden, where everything seems to be in the right spot - rock, tree, bushes, hostas, everything.