How to Enter
1. Collect a set of 12 – 15 photos (high resolution digital images) of the project you wish to enter.
Digital image instructions: Digital images will be accepted only on CD readable on Mac or PC format. Label the CD with the company name and entry name. A separate CD must be provided for each entry submitted. Name each image file with the company name or understandable abbreviation and the number corresponding to the photo description on the entry form. Digital imagesmust be a minimum of 300 dots per inch (dpi) in JPG format. All photos with the exception of “before” shots must be taken within twelve months of submission.
2. Fill out both sides of the entry form.
3. Enclose entry fee of $200 per entry for TNLA members or $300 per entry for non-members.
4. Mail to Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards (TEIL Awards), c/o TNLA, 7730 South IH-35, Austin, TX 78745-6698.
NOTE: All entries must be cleared by the owner of the entered project before being submitted. All entry materials submitted become the property of the Texas Nursery & Landscape Association and may be used for publication. No material accepted for entry will be returned for any reason. TNLA accepts no responsibility for copyrights or photographic fees.
General Rules
1. A project, which previously has won a TNLA Grand Platinum Award, may not re-enter for two (2) years.
2. The project’s name, company logo, or address may not be shown anywhere on the photos. Photos containing any of these items will be excluded and not viewed by the judges.
3. All entries will be reviewed from the photos submitted. Photos must show sufficient details to allow judges to adequately determine the quality of work.
4. Each entry should include the date the project was completed or taken over.
5. If the project was designed by the entrant, a photomust be submitted depicting the landscape design plan.
6. Where applicable to aid in entry judging, landscape plans should be included with the entry, showing locations where photos were taken and overall scope of landscaping in entry. Whenever possible, “in-progress” or “before-and-after” photos of the project should be included. Plans should be submitted on reduced prints, 8-1/2”x11”.
7. Any sub contractors used should be listed.
8. All entries must be submitted on a current year entry form. Descriptions should be TYPED or CLEARLY PRINTED on the entry form or on a separate, single typewritten page.
9. A single project may be entered in up to two categories if separate entry forms, photos, and fees are submitted for each category entered.
Criteria
Maintenance Category
Entries in the maintenance category will be judged on preservation of design integrity, neatness, and healthy appearance. Projects must have been under contract by the entrant for at least one (1) year prior to the date of entry. Maintenance projects should include whether seasonal color, fertilization, etc. are included in the contract.
Judging Criteria:
1. Integrity of lawns
• Clear, careful mowing pattern
• Lush look without rutting
2. Condition of trees and shrubs
3. Condition of planting beds
• Weed free, edge detail
• Condition of plant material, bed detailing
4. Health & vitality of overall project
5. Attention to details
6. Degree of difficulty
Landscape Installation with or without Design/Build
Entries must give the date the photos were taken and how many months or years after initial installation the photo was taken. Entries will be judged on quality of material and overall finished appearance. Please note if the project’s contract includes foliage plant rotation.
Judging Criteria
1. Degree of difficulty
2. Quality of plant material
(i.e., Seeded or sodded lawns; Shrubs; Trees; Plants; Construction)
3. Attention to details
4. Overall finished appearance
• Site grading
5. Special features (i.e., ponds, paving, fountains)
Additional Criteria for Design/Build
If designed, a photo of plans must be submitted with title block omitted.
1. Overall design
2. Choice and location of plant materials
3. Harmony of design with surroundings
4. Evidence of workability
5. Environmentally appropriate
Special Project Category
The overall appearance of the project and degree of difficulty are most heavily weighed in judging. The entrant should focus on unique aspects and special challenges of the project. Examples of a Special Project: Seasonal Color; Tree Protection - Construction Phase; Tree Maintenance-Continual Care; Water Recycling; Erosion Control
Judging Criteria
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Overall appearance
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Degree of difficulty
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Attention to detail
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Quality of materials
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Quality of installation
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Unusual or unique material used
7. Appropriateness to function
TNLA Grand Platinum Award
The TNLA Grand Platinum Award is presented to the entry that is judged best in all categories. No additional entry is necessary to be eligible for this award. All entries will be considered. The identity of the award winner will not be disclosed until the awards presentation.
NOTE: There is no set number of awards to be presented. Judges may recommend as many entries as they determine deserving of special recognition or they may recommend that awards not be given in every category.
Other Awards Presented
Gold Award
Silver Award
Bronze Award
Honorable Mention – Awarded at judges’ discretion
Awards Presentation
The Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards is presented at the TNLA Awards Dinner, held in conjunction with the Texas Nursery/Landscape EXPO in August. The presentation at the Awards Ceremony honors the winner, the landscape architect, and the project owner. If the award winner desires to have the landscape architect and/or owner receive the award with him/her, such arrangements may be made. Duplicate plaques for presentation to the property owner and/or landscape architect are available for purchase through TNLA.
Entry Categories
Landscape projects for which the entrant has executed and/or designed the major portion of the work may be entered for judging in one of the following categories:
A. Commercial Installation (with or without design)
A.1. Under $50,000
A.2. Over $50,000
B. Commercial Maintenance
C. Residential Installation (with or without design)
C.1. Under $20,000
C.2. $20,000 - $50,000
C.3. Over $50,000
D. Residential Maintenance
E. Special Projects - Commercial / Residential
Examples of Special Projects: Seasonal Color; Tree Protection - Construction Phase; Tree
Maintenance-Continual Care; Water Recycling; Erosion Control
Helpful Tips
All projects submitted are reviewed only through photos and the accompanying script. Only the information contained on the entry form provided is made available to the judges. Therefore, it is important that photos are of the highest quality and the photos and accompanying entry form provide an adequate and thorough view of your project.
Landscape Installation Category
For installation projects, whenever possible, show process and before shots and explain in your descriptions the special challenges of the installation. Your photos and descriptions should focus on the installation – not the design.
Landscape Installation Category With Design
A photo must be submitted, with the title block omitted, depicting the landscape design plan (one photo is usually adequate). Your project description should focus on the requests of the client and how your landscape design met his/her specific requirements. Your photos should correspond with your description and explain how specific design criteria were met and carried out throughout the project.
Maintenance
In the maintenance category you should show close-up shots as well as long shots of the plant material. Talk specifically about the scope of the project and the maintenance procedures involved at the site – particularly if this involves some out-of-the-ordinary constraints. Talk about special pest control programs, maintenance schedules and unusual or significant challenges associated with the project. Also mention the length of time you have been maintaining the project.
Special Projects
In Special Project categories the overall appearance of the project and the degree of difficulty are the most heavily weighted criteria in judging. Focus on the unique aspects of the project and what special challenges you overcame. Special challenges may include access problems, time constraints, or unique requests made by the client.
General
In all cases, pay careful attention to photo selection. Don’t show anything that could defeat the credibility of your project as an award recipient – for example, you should not have any nursery pots showing, brown leaves, uneven pruning, etc.
Make sure that the name of the project is not visible in any of the photos. The judges will not see those photos that include project names.
Keep descriptions concise and to the point. You want to make sure you include all the challenges of the project and those unique points that make your project stand out.
The area for descriptions on the entry form is limited for a reason. It is often to your advantage to limit any extraneous verbiage. However, too little description can be equally detrimental. Just saying "overhead view" "entryway" is not enough. The descriptions should be helpful to the judges in giving them a full understanding of the project.
Photography
--Before, during, and after pictures taken from the same vantage point are most useful.
--Overhead shots taken from a normal vantage point (i.e. from a deck, upstairs window, etc.) are helpful.
--Close-up shots of construction details are helpful
--Candid pictures of people using the space show use and scale
--If seasonal effects are important to the entry, photos should be taken of the same area from a similar location at several times during the year to properly convey the idea.
--Photos that portray compatibility of materials and show textural qualities are helpful.
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