Grimsby Garden Club and the Town of Grimsby
2020 Summer Trilliums Program
Gardeners who make our neighborhoods look beautiful deserve to be recognized. That’s why the Grimsby Garden Club and the Town of Grimsby sponsor and run this event. We recognize and celebrate Grimsby’s outstanding gardens.
Nominations are accepted from June 1, 2020 until June 26, 2020 and should be submitted to: Grimsby Trilliums 2020, Grimsby Garden Club, P.O. Box 321, Grimsby, ON L3M 4G5, or scan/photograph the completed nomination form and email to grimsbytrillium@gmail.com
Nominations are accepted from June 1, 2020 until June 26, 2020 and should be submitted to: Grimsby Trilliums 2020, Grimsby Garden Club, P.O. Box 321, Grimsby, ON L3M 4G5, or scan/photograph the completed nomination form and email to grimsbytrillium@gmail.com
DOWNLOAD THE 2020 NOMINATION FORM HERE
We are most grateful to our sponsors who support us in making this program possible. Please support their businesses and keep Grimsby growing!
About the Trillium Assessment Criteria:
Gardens are nominated on the basis of their front landscaping, viewable from the street. Nominated gardens are assessed using the following criteria:
- Curb Appeal
- Landscape Maintenance
- Softscape
- Hardscape
- Flowers (annuals and perennials)
- Trees, evergreens and shrubs
- Property Maintenance
- Landscape Design
- Unity/harmony
- Balance
- Scale/proportion
- Rhythm/sequence
- Focal area
Volunteer judges visit all nominated gardens.
Judging Criteria Detailed Description:
1. Curb appeal
The judges check to see:
- If the exterior looks inviting, welcoming and attractive
- If the property creates a good first impression
- If the property catches your attention immediately
Curb appeal can be accomplished a number of ways, such as:
- exterior decorations
- colour scheme
- attention to landscaping
2. Softscape and hardscape
Softscape refers to the live elements including ornamental grasses, plants and shrubs. Judges will check to see if:
- groundcover such as moss or ivy is well maintained
- grass is mowed and edged, weed and disease free and without brown patches (except in rural areas or when a water ban is in effect or drought conditions)
Hardscape refers to the ‘built’ environment including stones, rocks, pavers, structures, water elements and mulches.
Judges will check to see if the built environment is weed free, clean and well kept
3. Annuals and perennials
Judges will check to see if annuals and perennials:
- are well maintained
- have healthy colour and foliage
- have been dead headed
- are part of a colour scheme
- are the proper size in proportion to containers and planters
4. Trees, evergreens and shrubs
Judges will check to see if trees, evergreens and shrubs are:
- pruned
- shaped
- maintained (deadwood, weak, diseased or damaged branches and stems have been removed)
5. Property maintenance
The judges will check to see if:
- property is maintained
- walkways, driveways, fences are in good condition and contribute to the appearance of the property
- landscaping is maintained and free of litter and weeds
- elements and structures compliment the landscape and are in working order
6. Landscape design principles
The judges check for:
- Unity and harmony
- unity is achieved by repeating objects or elements that are alike; there is repetition of shrubs or a colour scheme
- Balance
- can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical
- Scale and proportion
- scale refers to the size of an object in relation to the house and property
- proportion refers to the size of parts of the design in relation to each other and to the design as a whole
- Rhythm and sequence
- smooth blending of different elements
- garden is one unified scene
- property has year-round appeal
- Focal area
- plants or structural elements that accent a given area
- can be achieved using an entryway, front door or a certain location in the garden such as a pond, fountain, arbour, birdbath, pots, rockery or stairway
7. Landscape design elements
These are tools used to achieve principles of design:
- Line:
- this is eye movement or flow
- can be achieved by bed arrangement or vertical changes in heights of plants, trees or shrubs
- can be straight or curved and free flowing
- Form:
- individual plant growth or planting arrangement in a landscape such as upright, oval, columnar, spreading or weeping
Texture: - describes the surface quality of an object that can be seen or felt
- can include buildings, walks, walls, ground covers and plants
- can be fine, course, bold or medium
- adds interest to the garden throughout the seasons
- should be complex, personal and have a strong effect on the landscape
- may include some flowers; however much of the colour should come from foliage
- using green for continuity along with some colour variety in foliage adds interest
- should direct attention to the landscape and compliment the house
- consideration will be given to year round interest, not just to seasonal colour
- adds interest
- Form:
Grimsby Garden Club Trillium Program
1. Q. What kinds of gardens are included in the Trillium scope?
A, All front gardens and balconies of residential, commercial, condominium, rental and town house properties. Excluded are buildings located on private lanes and roads, not accessible to the public. Condominium complexes are on private roads and are accessible to the public, so are included. These all must be located within Grimsby boundaries. Please note that the criteria for residential and non-residential are separate.
2. Q. Do the judges walk around the residence’s front garden to view it?
A. The judges do not walk around the front garden. They view it from the street and front sidewalk. They walk along the street or the sidewalk. The Trillium scope is the front garden viewable from the street/sidewalk. Where there is a long driveway to the house, it can be difficult to complete an assessment of the garden. Judges do not walk up driveways. If the street side garden is significant, then it will be assessed. We try our best to include every garden.
3. Q. Do I need to know the owner’s name to nominate a garden?
A. It is not mandatory to include the name in the nomination. It is mandatory for the nominated garden owner to provide their name(s) and give permission for photos and for publishing their name(s) and address. So please consider nominating a garden address, and we will do the rest.
4. Q. Are side gardens included in the judging where there are corner properties?
A. The Trillium scope is a front garden viewable from the street. Where the side garden is viewable from a straight-on front street view, it will be included. The judges do not walk around the corner and view the side garden when it isn’t viewable from the front street view.
5. Q. How long does it take to judge a garden?
A. Typical viewing/assessment times are between 10 to 20 minutes for a garden. Judges use an assessment checklist and scoring form. They have been trained and are skilled in making an assessment. The checklist for assessment is available on the Grimsby Garden Club website.
6. Q. How do you decide the residence’s front garden – it is where the house number is?
A. There are 2 possible front gardens – the part of the house with the number on it, or the part of the house with the front door. The judges look to see where the front seems most likely and use that for judging. This accommodates newer housing sections where the house number is on one street with the garage and the front door is around the corner.
7. Q. Are artificial plants a detriment in the judging criteria?
A. The presence of artificial plants can be a solution for a porch or balcony situation where there is low light. In particular, artificial boxwood is sometimes used in these settings. Artificial flowers can integrate as accent features in the landscape or the container. However, the use of artificial flowers and plants as substitutes for living garden material is discouraged.
8. Q. Is artificial turf allowed?
9. Q. How do judges assess different sized properties – particularly small gardens?
A. Judging different sized properties takes skill and expertise. Judges receive training in applying the assessment criteria in a consistent way. One might think that a small garden has a better chance of scoring higher – for example it likely is less effort and time to maintain to high standards. However, in a small plot of say, 15x20 feet, the effect of each plant and element is critical. One plant out of scale has a medium to high impact. This is the case for mismatched or poor colour integration. Each item contributes to balance, unity and harmony. In a large garden, one plant or element out of place would not have a high impact on the design. In this scenario, groupings and flow of plants and elements are evaluated.
10. Q. Can a garden get a Trillium every year?
A. Yes, there currently are no limitations to the number of trilliums a garden can receive. Beautiful gardens can be awarded a Trillium each year.
11. Q. If a house is recently purchased can it receive a Trillium?
A. Yes, there are currently no rules disqualifying a garden because it has been recently purchased.
12. Q. Is there a way for the public to choose the best gardens in Grimsby?
A. There currently isn’t a popular choice award. We are looking into the possibility of a popular vote, and will keep you up to date on any developments.
13. Q. Can I submit a nomination after the deadline?
A. Yes - this year - 2020 - COVID-19 caused changes in our processes and submissions. These were special circumstances that caused delays in the mail. At other times, the deadline may be moved for things like power outages, weather warnings, and other circumstances that affect everyone in the town. Individual circumstances may also exist: this might be an illness, being away, or a special circumstance. Typically a grace period of a few days will be allowed.
14. Q. How do I know if my garden should participate?
15. Q. My garden is on a busy road – how do you assess it?
16. Q. How do I interpret the assessment criteria and the numerical rating scale?
A. To get a sense of the assessment rating numbers and what they mean, use the following rule of thumb:5 – excellent to outstanding
4 – very good
3 – good
2 – fair
1 – poor
0 – not present/missing
17.Q. How do I become a Trillium judge?
Updated June 5, 2020
Grimsby Garden Club Trillium Program
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Q. What kinds of gardens are included in the Trillium scope?
A, All front gardens and balconies of residential, commercial, condominium, rental and town house properties. Excluded are buildings located on private lanes and roads, not accessible to the public. Condominium complexes are on private roads and are accessible to the public, so are included. These all must be located within Grimsby boundaries. Please note that the criteria for residential and non-residential are separate.
A, All front gardens and balconies of residential, commercial, condominium, rental and town house properties. Excluded are buildings located on private lanes and roads, not accessible to the public. Condominium complexes are on private roads and are accessible to the public, so are included. These all must be located within Grimsby boundaries. Please note that the criteria for residential and non-residential are separate.
2. Q. Do the judges walk around the residence’s front garden to view it?
A. The judges do not walk around the front garden. They view it from the street and front sidewalk. They walk along the street or the sidewalk. The Trillium scope is the front garden viewable from the street/sidewalk. Where there is a long driveway to the house, it can be difficult to complete an assessment of the garden. Judges do not walk up driveways. If the street side garden is significant, then it will be assessed. We try our best to include every garden.
3. Q. Do I need to know the owner’s name to nominate a garden?
A. It is not mandatory to include the name in the nomination. It is mandatory for the nominated garden owner to provide their name(s) and give permission for photos and for publishing their name(s) and address. So please consider nominating a garden address, and we will do the rest.
4. Q. Are side gardens included in the judging where there are corner properties?
A. The Trillium scope is a front garden viewable from the street. Where the side garden is viewable from a straight-on front street view, it will be included. The judges do not walk around the corner and view the side garden when it isn’t viewable from the front street view.
A. The Trillium scope is a front garden viewable from the street. Where the side garden is viewable from a straight-on front street view, it will be included. The judges do not walk around the corner and view the side garden when it isn’t viewable from the front street view.
5. Q. How long does it take to judge a garden?
A. Typical viewing/assessment times are between 10 to 20 minutes for a garden. Judges use an assessment checklist and scoring form. They have been trained and are skilled in making an assessment. The checklist for assessment is available on the Grimsby Garden Club website.
6. Q. How do you decide the residence’s front garden – it is where the house number is?
A. There are 2 possible front gardens – the part of the house with the number on it, or the part of the house with the front door. The judges look to see where the front seems most likely and use that for judging. This accommodates newer housing sections where the house number is on one street with the garage and the front door is around the corner.
7. Q. Are artificial plants a detriment in the judging criteria?
A. The presence of artificial plants can be a solution for a porch or balcony situation where there is low light. In particular, artificial boxwood is sometimes used in these settings. Artificial flowers can integrate as accent features in the landscape or the container. However, the use of artificial flowers and plants as substitutes for living garden material is discouraged.
8. Q. Is artificial turf allowed?
A. Artificial turf is discouraged as a major feature in residential gardens. The Trillium program recognizes beautiful front gardens, and recommends natural, living material in a natural environment. When artificial turf is used extensively and is noticeable as a feature on the landscape, it may be considered a disqualification. Like artificial trees, bushes, and flowers, it generally falls outside the program’s purpose.
9. Q. How do judges assess different sized properties – particularly small gardens?
A. Judging different sized properties takes skill and expertise. Judges receive training in applying the assessment criteria in a consistent way. One might think that a small garden has a better chance of scoring higher – for example it likely is less effort and time to maintain to high standards. However, in a small plot of say, 15x20 feet, the effect of each plant and element is critical. One plant out of scale has a medium to high impact. This is the case for mismatched or poor colour integration. Each item contributes to balance, unity and harmony. In a large garden, one plant or element out of place would not have a high impact on the design. In this scenario, groupings and flow of plants and elements are evaluated.
10. Q. Can a garden get a Trillium every year?
A. Yes, there currently are no limitations to the number of trilliums a garden can receive. Beautiful gardens can be awarded a Trillium each year.
11. Q. If a house is recently purchased can it receive a Trillium?
A. Yes, there are currently no rules disqualifying a garden because it has been recently purchased.
12. Q. Is there a way for the public to choose the best gardens in Grimsby?
A. There currently isn’t a popular choice award. We are looking into the possibility of a popular vote, and will keep you up to date on any developments.
13. Q. Can I submit a nomination after the deadline?
14. Q. How do I know if my garden should participate?
A. Judging different sized properties takes skill and expertise. Judges receive training in applying the assessment criteria in a consistent way. One might think that a small garden has a better chance of scoring higher – for example it likely is less effort and time to maintain to high standards. However, in a small plot of say, 15x20 feet, the effect of each plant and element is critical. One plant out of scale has a medium to high impact. This is the case for mismatched or poor colour integration. Each item contributes to balance, unity and harmony. In a large garden, one plant or element out of place would not have a high impact on the design. In this scenario, groupings and flow of plants and elements are evaluated.
10. Q. Can a garden get a Trillium every year?
A. Yes, there currently are no limitations to the number of trilliums a garden can receive. Beautiful gardens can be awarded a Trillium each year.
11. Q. If a house is recently purchased can it receive a Trillium?
A. Yes, there are currently no rules disqualifying a garden because it has been recently purchased.
12. Q. Is there a way for the public to choose the best gardens in Grimsby?
A. There currently isn’t a popular choice award. We are looking into the possibility of a popular vote, and will keep you up to date on any developments.
13. Q. Can I submit a nomination after the deadline?
A. Yes - this year - 2020 - COVID-19 caused changes in our processes and submissions. These were special circumstances that caused delays in the mail. At other times, the deadline may be moved for things like power outages, weather warnings, and other circumstances that affect everyone in the town. Individual circumstances may also exist: this might be an illness, being away, or a special circumstance. Typically a grace period of a few days will be allowed.
14. Q. How do I know if my garden should participate?
A. The detailed and summary assessment criteria are published here on the website. The Grimsby Garden Club website and the Facebook page show pictures of some of Grimsby’s Trillium recipient gardens, or one can drive around and look at last year’s gardens, as the addresses are listed on the website.
15. Q. My garden is on a busy road – how do you assess it?
A. The judges will find a place to park so that they can view the garden. Grimsby has a particularly difficult constraint on roads up the escarpment. If the homeowner allows it, the judges will park in the driveway – judges will ask permission first. We want to do everything possible to include every garden in the Trillium Program and want to accommodate all the circumstances of our beautiful surroundings.
16. Q. How do I interpret the assessment criteria and the numerical rating scale?
A. To get a sense of the assessment rating numbers and what they mean, use the following rule of thumb:5 – excellent to outstanding
4 – very good
3 – good
2 – fair
1 – poor
0 – not present/missing
A. To get a sense of the assessment rating numbers and what they mean, use the following rule of thumb:5 – excellent to outstanding
4 – very good
3 – good
2 – fair
1 – poor
0 – not present/missing
17.Q. How do I become a Trillium judge?
A. If you are interested in becoming a Trillium judge, contact the Trillium chair, the Grimsby Garden Club President, or email the Grimsby Garden Club. The contact information is available on our website. An orientation and training session is required for all judges. For 2020 Trilliums, it will take place June 25th 2020.
DOWNLOAD THE 2020 NOMINATION FORM HERE
2019 Trillium Recipients
6 Admiral Circle, 12 Baker Rd South, 6 Bal Harbour Dr, 23 Burgess Dr, 10 Chardonnay Place, 36 Chardonnay Place, 7 Chestnut Dr, 60 Conrad Court, 16 Deer Park Court, 112 Dorchester Dr, 260 Dorchester Dr, 60 Driftwood Court, 41 Elderberry Ave, 102 Gibson St, 31 Golf Woods Dr, 12 Hewitt Dr, 6 Highland Dr, 14 Jacobs Landing, 308 Lake St, 19 Lake St, Unit 13, 19 Lake St, Unit 14, 19 Lake St, Unit 15, 59 Lakeview Ave, 2 Lawrence Ave, 202 Livingston Ave, 204 Livingston Ave, 209 Livingston Ave, 126 Magnolia Crescent, 125 Main St E, 147 Main St E, 135 Main St W, 41 Main St W back unit, 398 Maple Ave, 9 Mary Drive, Unit 2, 23 McNab Dr, 78 Morrison Cres, 23 Nelles Rd N, 35 Orchard Parkway, 11 Parkwood Rd, 113 Peach Tree Lane, 142 Peach Tree Lane, 33 Rosedale St, 14 St Andrews Ave, 3 Sunnylea Cres, 5 Sunnylea Cres, 6 Sunnylea Cres, 87 Terrace Dr, 91 Terrace Dr, 94 Terrace Dr, 42 Vinifera Dr, 55 Vinifera Dr, 99 Vinifera Dr, 35 Whittaker Ave, 472 Woolverton Rd
