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Main Awards Entry Information

International, Public Realm Landscapes & Gardens

Public Realm

MAIN AWARDS CATEGORIES

Projects of any size outside the UK (including podiums/roof terraces)

A communally used public, semi-public, or commercial project of any size outside the UK. Examples may include but are not limited to hotels, ofﬁces, parks or communal gardens (including podiums/roof terraces)

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Eligible Pre-registered

Roof, Podium & Raised Gardens

Large Residential Landscapes & Gardens

Landscapes & Gardens Medium Residential Landscapes & Gardens

Small Residential Landscapes & Gardens

A UK communally used public, semi-public, or commercial project of any size with an emphasis on sustainability. Examples may include but are not limited to hotels, ofﬁces, parks or communal gardens, including for public/private housing.

A UK residential or commercial garden ‘in the air’ of any size with speciﬁc emphasis on contribution to the environment and sustainability.

A UK project over 2000m2

A UK project between 500-2000m2

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Eligible Pre-registered

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice

Garden Jewel

A UK project between 150-500m2

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Eligible Pre-registered

A UK residential project of less than 150m2 including courtyards, roof gardens, front gardens or may include a ‘jewel’ within a bigger garden.

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Eligible Pre-registered

A UK project of any size. Examples may include schools, hospitals, care homes or hospices. Nb. Community gardens must be not for proﬁt, may or may not have included the community in the project and may not necessarily be permanent

A UK residential project where the total budget does not exceed £50,000 i.e. the value of the landscape contract (note this is excluding design fee and VAT)

A UK project of any size showing a ﬂair for design, interpretation of client brief, dynamic design solutions, detailed design elements, that ‘something special’

A UK residential, commercial or community project of any size, which demonstrates excellence in design and implementation.

A UK project showing excellence and ingenuity in a residential or public planting scheme. Consideration may include but are not limited to: suitability, resilience, to the site, conditions & stated brief, plant growth & functionality, creative use of plants, aesthetics and environmental solutions. Planting design only schemes can be submitted.

A UK project showing innovative and meticulous design and implementation of a domestic, commercial, or public hard landscaping scheme. Consideration may include but are not limited to: environmental impact, sustainability, innovation in design, construction detail.

A UK or international residential, commercial, or public project of any size NOT constructed e.g. a show garden idea, innovation/experimentation in design, ‘the one that got away’. An explanation of why the garden has not been constructed should be included in the submission.

If you choose to enter this option the judges will decide which category your project best ﬁts taking into account your membership status and the project.

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Pre-registered

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Eligible Pre-registered *

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Eligible Pre-registered

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Pre-registered

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Pre-registered Pre-registered members. The project must have been completed within 5 years of setting up your own business or being a recognised designer within another business.

An Afﬁliated Business Partner Landscaper AND one of the following:

FSGLD, MSGLD, Registered Practice, Pre-registered

* Eligible Pre-registered members must have passed submission 1 or 2 at accreditation - see page 5 ‘Rules of Entry’

HONORARY AWARDS

DESIGN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Selected from entries in all categories, focused on environmental contribution, sustainability, and biodiversity enhancement.

THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Shortlisted ﬁnalists in Award Categories 1-9

This competition is run by the SGLD Awards Media Partner, Gardens Illustrated and chosen by public vote.

THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the profession as voted for by our Registered Members and Fellows.

THE JUDGES’ AWARD

Shortlisted ﬁnalists in Award Categories 1-14

Awarded by the Judges looking for something ‘extra’

THE GRAND AWARD

Presented in Partnership with the RHS

Winners in Award Categories 1-9

Chosen by the Judges as the Winner of Winners

The early bird entry fee is £150 by Tuesday 28th April 2026

The standard entry fee is £184 by Wednesday 13th May 2026

There is a 20% discount for 2nd and subsequent projects entered in the main awards.

13 & 14

(Planting and Built Landscape Design)

1 to 12 and Open Choice 15

(Virtual Landscape Design)

KEY DATES

There is a 30% discount for Pre-registered members if their entered project has also been submitted for accreditation in 2026.

Please note: Prior to the 30th May 2026 a refund less an admin charge of £20 will be given if you have to withdraw your project due to not passing at accreditation. Withdrawing after that date no refund will be provided.

The early bird entry fee is £106 (or £78 if the project is also entered in Award Categories 1-11 and Open Choice) by Tuesday 28th April 2026

The standard entry fee is £129 (or £78 if the project is also entered in Award Categories 1-11 and Open Choice) by Wednesday 13th May 2026

The early bird entry fee is £90 by Tuesday 28th April 2026

The standard entry fee is £106 by Wednesday 13th May 2026

All prices are inclusive of VAT

• Deadline to register to enter with the early bird price – Tuesday 28th April 2026

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• Deadline to register to enter – Wednesday 13th May 2026

Deadline for the electronic submissions to the SGLD Dropbox - 5pm Monday 8th June 2026

Finalists will be announced Friday 25th September 2026

Winners will be announced at the SGLD Award Ceremony on Friday 6th February 2027

Note: On request to awards@sgld.org.uk ‘promotional images’ may be added after the deadline if you are planning to photograph your project after the 8th June. You will also need to let awards@sgld.org.uk know when you are ready to add the new photography to the DropBox as it will be closed once the submission deadline is passed. We will reopen it for 24hrs for you to add your images. These images will not be seen by the judges but should be provided no later than 1st August.

ENTRY PROCESS

Complete an entry form for each project/category you are entering on the Awards page of the SGLD website and pay the entry fee. Receipt of payment will be sent automatically. Conﬁrmation of registration will be emailed by the SGLD Awards ofﬁce when both payment and entry form(s) have been received and checked and this will include the unique entry ID for each submission. Each project submission will have its own unique ID. You will receive an invitation to the SGLD Dropbox unique folder for each PDF submission and promotional images.

Add your PDF submission and images to the SGLD Dropbox folder by the deadline date (see above). Please note all electronic submissions must be made anonymously. If Dropbox adds your name automatically, don’t worry we will remove this.

RULES OF ENTRY

1. Completion and submission of the entry form will be taken as conﬁrmation that you have read, understood, and will abide by these Rules of Entry.

2. No evidence of the name of the designer or their company name/logo should appear in the PDF project submission. The judges will not see the entry form.

3. No gardens with artiﬁcial turf or foliage can be entered.

4. Members cannot enter their own gardens.

5. The projects entered must have been completed before the submission date. There is no other timing restriction.

6. The complete PDF submission as detailed below must be provided by the deadline submission date and time. However the separate additional jpg images may be added to the unique drop box between 8th June 2026 and 1st August 2026 as these are not used in the judging process and are provided for promotional purposes only should the project be shortlisted or win.

7. The work submitted must be the responsibility of and directed by a member or members, or ABP in the relevant membership/partnership category for the Award

8. Members can enter as a sole entrant, a joint entrant, registered practice, or partner. In addition, the contribution of any non-member designer/design professional should also be attributed. This is for information only, not for inclusion in any recognition if the project is a ﬁnalist or winner.

9. Entry to restricted categories by Pre-Registered members who have passed submission 1 or 2 is allowed for one year only for each project passed towards registration i.e. a maximum of entering such categories for two years before becoming a Registered Member. In those two years you may enter as many projects as you wish. This restriction does not affect the number of entries that can be made as Pre-Registered.

10. Projects used at accreditation can be entered. See above for discounts that may be applicable.

11. ‘New Designer Award’: Open to Pre-registered members. The project must have been completed within 5 years of setting up your own business or being a recognised designer within another business.

12. Pre-Registered members who graduated in 2025 or 2026 may enter the Student Awards if they progressed from Student Member to Pre-Registered Member in this period, and were a Student Member at the time the project was designed.

RULES OF ENTRY -

13. If a Pre-registered member enters the Main Awards, they may not enter the Student Awards.

14. A project may not be entered again in the same category in a future year.

15. It is not permissible for individual elements of a garden to be submitted for different award categories (except in the case of built landscape design or planting design).

16. If a discrete element/area of a garden is submitted, it must fulﬁl the size criteria of the category entered. Judges will consider it in the context of the entire garden site so the presentation plan must show the whole site and identify the area you are entering.

17. If existing elements of a garden are retained, (e.g. built landscaping), this should be identiﬁed - rendered and labelled accordingly.

18. All categories except ‘Virtual Landscape Design’ must have been built.

19. Entrants can enter the same project in different categories in the current or a future year.

20. Entrants may submit as many individual entries as they wish.

21. Only show gardens that have not been constructed will be accepted for the “Virtual Landscape” category; this is the only category where show gardens can be entered.

22. All requirements must be met, or your submission may be excluded.

23. Your ‘submission PDF ﬁle’ title must only be the ‘unique entry ID’ provided by SGLD Awards ofﬁce, e.g. ‘04.2345’.

24. Fees are non-refundable even if an entry is withdrawn or excluded.

25. Any submissions received after the deadline will not be considered for an Award.

26. The SGLD reserves the right to reject or request replacement of any unsuitable material submitted.

27. The organisers reserve the right to amend entry criteria.

28. The organisers reserve the right to move an entry to a different category.

29. The organisers reserve the right to amend or merge or withdraw Award categories without notice or explanation.

30. No correspondence will be entered into.

31. Designers will not be allowed to accompany the judges if they make a site visit.

32. The SGLD Chair, Co-Chairs, Vice Chairs or SGLD Chair of Awards may not enter the Awards.

JUDGES’ DECISIONS ARE FINAL

IMPORTANT ADVICE ON YOUR PRESENTATION TO GIVE THE JUDGES THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER YOUR ENTRY

These are important points that are provided in response to issues raised over many years. Do not send your submission at the 11th hour. This leaves no time to rectify any issues. Keep in mind that you are selling your design idea to a panel of expert judges. Judges advise you not to enter your garden too early; wait until the planting has matured. Adhere to the presentation requirements; submit material accurately; the order is important.

Your Project Statement should describe elements of the site that impact on your design.

Remember the judges have limited time so need to understand and get the best possible impression of your project quickly. Plans must be populated to help understanding of usage (e.g. house, parking, garage, entrance).

As the judges only view the PDF submission ensure the best possible photography is in the PDF.

Ensure your project shows technical competency and the presentation is eye catching. Keep text to an absolute minimum and ensure all text used can be easily read either at normal viewing or if zoomed in.

The PDF must be a maximum of 12MB, this is for the judges who may not be able to load larger ﬁles.

Compress individual images before adding to the PDF. More than one image can be included per page.

Caption your images with ‘before’ and ‘after’ and any other useful information. All images must be right way up to view. All pages must be landscape and the same size. Make all pages the same size and landscape before creating the PDF, e.g. use Microsoft Word or Microsoft Publisher to create your submission before converting it to a .PDF If using Word save each page with compressed image as landscape before adding any text and then add to your PDF.

Use vectorised text to ensure judges can zoom in to read detail (not available if using Word); examples of software for this are Adobe Illustrator, Adobe in Design, CAD. If you need assistance with creating your PDF there are options, just google; one example is https://smallPDF.com

PDF SUBMISSION FOR AWARDS, CATEGORIES 1-12 and OPEN CHOICE

Please ﬁrst read the rules on pages 6/7 and the important advice on page 8. Your presentation must be submitted as a single PDF titled only with its unique entry ID provided by the SGLD Awards ofﬁce. Nothing in your submission should identify you or your practice. 12MB maximum.

Provide a maximum of 36 landscape pages all the same size in your .PDF in the following order:

1. Cover Sheet to include

• Your full unique entry code provided by the SGLD ofﬁce when acknowledging your entry

• Your project’s title, and for projects in the UK only include postal address with postcode

• Category entered

• Final cost of construction and cost per square meter, (please include hard and soft landscape and exclude VAT and the designer’s fee)

• Size of project as square meters, excluding the property

• Images can be added

2. Client Brief, Project Statement and Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

Maximum of two pages

20pt text must be used

Presented in a maximum of 5 bullet points per page

Maximum word count - 175 words per page

3. Site Context/Site Analysis

One page only

20pt text must be used

Must show context of the project, including if designing only part of a larger space

Must show the property in relation to the space designed

Graphics are welcome

4. Masterplan/Presentation Plan - the plan that you presented to the client

One page only

5. Planting Plan & Plant Schedule

Two pages maximum (if a very large project select a representative area)

6. Supporting drawings - up to four pages and these may include:

Sections, especially if a sloping site

Perspectives

Isometrics or other 3D visuals

7. Photographs

photographs must be included in the PDF up to a maximum of 25 pages (more than one image may be included on a page).

Separate images for publicity use only should the project be shortlisted or win

All after photographs must be submitted separately as .jpg at a minimum of 300dpi. These .jpg images must be titled with the entries “unique ID” supplied by SGLD Awards ofﬁce followed by “CR” (for any with copyright issues) or “CRF” (for any copyright free), followed by sequential numbering in order of preference. If necessary these jpgs can be submitted after the submission deadline with the agreement of the Awards Administration. See rules of entry.

PDF SUBMISSION FOR THE PLANTING DESIGN AWARD, CATEGORY 13

Provide a maximum of 44 landscape pages all the same size in your .PDF in the following order:

1. Cover Sheet to include:

Your full unique entry code (supplied by SGLD on receipt of your entry form and fee)

Your project’s title, and include postal address with postcode

Category entered

Final cost of planting and cost per square meter, (please include preparation, planting and plants) and exclude VAT and the designer’s fee)

Size of planting project as square meters.

Images can be added

2. Client Brief, Project Statement and Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

Maximum of two pages

20pt text must be used

Presented in a maximum of 5 bullet points per page

Maximum word count - 175 words per page

3. Site Context/Site Analysis

One page only

20pt text must be used

Must show context of the submitted project if designing only part of a larger space

Graphics are welcome

4. Masterplan/Presentation Plan

One page only

5. Planting

Up to 3 pages of planting plans

A maintenance schedule or management plan (maximum two pages)

6. Up to 4 additional pages

Sketch compositions/elevations

7. Photographs

Photographs must be included in the PDF up to a maximum of 30 pages (more than one image may be included on a page).

Separate images for publicity use only should the project be shortlisted or win

PDF SUBMISSION FOR THE BUILT LANDSCAPE AWARD, CATEGORY 14

Provide a maximum of 41 landscape pages all the same size in your .PDF in the following order:

1. Cover Sheet to include:

Your full unique entry code (supplied by SGLD on receipt of your entry form and fee)

Your project’s title, and include postal address with postcode

Category entered

Final cost of planting and cost per square meter, (please include preparation, planting and plants) and exclude VAT and the designer’s fee)

Size of hardscape as square meters.

Images can be added

2. Client Brief, Project Statement and Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

Maximum of two pages

20pt text must be used

Presented in a maximum of 5 bullet points per page

Maximum word count - 175 words per page

3. Site Context/Site Analysis

One page only

20pt text must be used

Must show context of the submitted project if designing only part of a larger space

Graphics are welcome

4. Masterplan/Presentation Plan

One page only

5. Up to 6 additional pages

Design detailing/plans

6. Photographs

Photographs must be included in the PDF up to a maximum of 30 pages (more than one image may be included on a page).

Separate images for publicity use only should the project be shortlisted or win

PDF SUBMISSION FOR THE VIRTUAL LANDSCAPE AWARD, CATEGORY 15

Provide a maximum of 11 landscape pages all the same size in your .PDF in the following order:

1. Cover Sheet to include:

Your full unique entry code (supplied by SGLD on receipt of your entry form and fee)

Your project’s title, and include postal address with postcode

Category entered

Images can be added

2. Client Brief, Project Statement and Contribution to Environmental Sustainability

To include explanation of why the garden has not been constructed

Maximum of two pages

20pt text must be used

Presented in a maximum of 5 bullet points per page

Maximum word count - 175 words per page

3. Site Context/Site Analysis

One page only

20pt text must be used

Must show context of the submitted project if designing only part of a larger space

Graphics are welcome

4. Masterplan/Presentation Plan

One page only

5. Up to 6 additional pages, which may include:

Planting plan

Sections (especially if a sloping site)

Perspectives

Isometrics or other 3D views

Design detailing

For promotional purposes we would also like you to submit photographs as .jpg at a minimum of 300dpi of:

The presentation plan

Other material that would promote your entry to best effect

Maximum of 6 photographs to be submitted

All these .jpg images must be titled with the entries “unique ID” supplied by SGLD Awards ofﬁce followed by sequential numbering

PROJECT PHOTOGRAPHY

The PDF submission is for the judging process only:

All photographs supplied for publicity should also be included in the PDF submission

Copyright restricted images can be used in the PDF; these will only be used for judging Images submitted for judging do not need to be professional photographs but must give the judges the best possible opportunity to understand the project and what you have achieved Include before and after pictures when available, taken from the same position and present them side by side on the same page – clearly label them ‘before’ and ‘after’ Images showing seasonality and night-time are welcome

The .jpg Images supplied for publicity and their permissions:

All ﬁnished garden images in the PDF submission must also be supplied as .jpg at a minimum of 300 dpi

At least three images that are ‘without copyright’ or “copyright free of charge” must be supplied for entries in categories 1 to 9. If 3 ‘free of charge’ images are not available, the entry may be excluded from the “People’s Choice Award” voting process.

• At least one image that is ‘without copyright’ or ‘copyright free of charge’ must be supplied for all other entries.

• All jpg images must be titled with the entries “Unique ID” supplied by SGLD, followed by

◦ “CR” for any images with copyright issues. (If images incur a fee, their use may be restricted by the SGLD when promoting your project.)

◦ “CRF”, if you grant the SGLD a licence to use images submitted free of charge, for which you own the rights, to promote your entry in the press, social media, website and Awards Ceremony should your entry be shortlisted.

◦ followed by sequential numbering, i.e. 1,2,3, (please number your images in your order of preference, however SGLD retains the right to make their own selection if your project is shortlisted).

• Entry to the SGLD Awards will be taken as a right to publish descriptions and other particulars including the presentation plans from the Awards submission. Any restrictions must be clearly stated on the entry form.

JUDGING

• The judging panel is comprised of experts in the Industry selected by the Society.

• The Judges’ comments for the winning entries may be used at the Awards Ceremony and on the winners’ page of the SGLD Awards website.

• Should the judging panel consider that none of the projects in a category meets the required standard then an Award will not be made.

• Should the judging panel consider that a project is better suited to a different category they have the right to move the project without reference to the entrant.

• The organisers reserve the right to add or remove judges.

• It is closed judging; entrants cannot present work to the Panel.

Garden Visits

• Judges may wish to visit some projects in the UK before deciding on the ﬁnalists.

• Judges generally visit in pairs.

• Not all shortlisted projects will be visited and not all visited gardens will be shortlisted.

• If required, a judge will arrange a visit directly with the representative given on your entry form. Please note you are not permitted to accompany the judges or to liaise with them. Award entries must remain unanimous.

TROPHY, CERTIFICATE & LOGOS

• Finalists will receive a ﬁnalist logo when the shortlist is announced.

• Finalists will receive a certiﬁcate after the event.

• Winners will be presented with a trophy at the ceremony, and will receive a Winner logo.

PUBLICITY

• The publicity for the awards will be handled solely by the SGLD.

• Applicants cannot issue information to the UK press without express permission from the SGLD.

2026 Grand Award Winner Putney Garden, Charlotte Rowe Garden Design, Principal Designer Tomoko Kawauchi MSGLD Image: Jason Ingram

2026 Judges’ Award Winner Westbourne Park Adolfo Harrison MSGLD Image: Mischa Haller