The 58-year old Rock Spring Garden Club of Arlington, VA, will be announcing the winner of its second annual countywide Garden of the Year Award competition at its September 15th meeting. This year’s competition had 49 entries from all parts of Arlington County, nine more than last year’s event.

One of this year's many entries

The gardens were judged on site by a set of criteria that included first impression, functional aspect of design, aesthetic aspect of design including originality and distinction, implementation of structures and plant materials, maintenance, and final impression.

The judging was done on June 29 in two teams by six judges who are members of the Capital Area’s Landscape Design Council and are part of the National Capital Area Garden Clubs.  One of the judges commented that she was “pleased to see the variety of landscapes submitted for consideration for the Rock Spring Garden Club’s Garden of the Year Award,” and considered “the quality of the submissions overall very high, making it a pleasure to have such a difficult job choosing a winner.”

Another beautiful entry

Following the winning announcement at the September meeting, lunch and a tour of the top rated gardens will be provided.  The countywide competition is a great way for the Rock Spring Garden Club to promote gardening, county beautification, and membership.

Next year’s Garden of the Year Award competition will start earlier, in March 2012 running through May 31, 2012, with the announcement of the winner taking place at the Club’s year-end June meeting.