Since 1970, the County Beautification Committee has hosted an annual Beautification Awards Program. Through this Program, Prince George’s County honors those who have contributed to the community through excellence in gardening and landscaping. Early each spring, residents and landscape professionals are invited to enter the Program. All landscaping efforts are considered eligible including community efforts, school garden projects, landscaping of government, commercial and industrial sites and residential efforts, both maintained by the owner or professionally designed and maintained.
Applications
Applications can be found below, on the website for the University of Maryland Extension and at local libraries. All last year’s applicants receive one in the mail. You are welcome to enter yourself or enter a friend or neighbor with an outstanding yard.
Each entry will be evaluated by accredited judges of the University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners of Prince George’s County. The criteria used for judging is broad-based to allow us to recognize excellence in more traditional methods of landscaping and to award individuals or groups who are trying to make their projects ecologically sustainable.
How it works
First year winners are awarded a Beautification Award Certificate signed by our Chairman, the County Executive and the Chair of the County Council. Winners are then encouraged to submit their garden projects for the next five years and if they have maintained them well, they will be given a Golden Trowel Award and have their names entered into the County Horticultural Hall of Excellence.
Awards are presented at a ceremony at Newton White Mansion in late September. All entrants are invited to attend the event and winners are notified ahead of time. The reception is attended by civic dignitaries. Pictures of successful yards are shown as people enjoy light refreshments. There is a short presentation about a topic of interest to all gardeners and then the Awards are presented by a representative of the County.
Selected Successful Sites
