The Growers Awards of Excellence program serves a number of purposes. Participants receive honours in the judged categories, while those present can obtain some of the best plant material available through the auction. The plant material donated to the LO Growers Auction provides funds for the Ontario Horticultural Trades Foundation to support industry research and scholarships. Congratulations to all of the winners:

Category 1: Evergreens - Field Grown Upright and Spreading
Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings
For: Taxus x media ‘Fairview’

Category 2: Evergreens - Container Grown Upright and Spreading
Winner: Canadale Nurseries
For: Assorted evergreens

Category 3: Broadleaf Evergreens
Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries
For: Broadleaf evergreens

Category 4: Deciduous Shrubs
Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings
For: Assorted deciduous shrubs

Category 5: Deciduous Ornamental Trees, 300 cm or less
Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings
For: Parrotia persica

Category 6: Deciduous Ornamental Trees, Top Grafted/Worked
Winner: Maple Leaf Nurseries
For: Assorted top grafted deciduous trees

Category 7: Caliper Trees
Winner: Braun Nursery
For: Malus ‘Prairiefire’

Category 8: Vines and Groundcovers
Winner: Willowbrook Nurseries
For: Assorted Vines

Category 9: Perennials
Winner: Mori Nurseries
For: Assorted Perennials

Category 10: Unusual and Rare Plants
Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings
For: Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Miss Grace’

Category 11: Design on a Skid
Winner: Mori Nurseries
For: Assorted plant material

Judges’ Choice Award for best overall entry chosen by the judging panel:
Winner: Connon Nurseries, NVK Holdings
For: Category 11: Unusual and Rare Plants
Metasequoia glyptostroboides ‘Miss Grace’

For details on the Landscape Ontario Awards programs, visit www.loawards.com.

The awards ceremony for the construction, maintenance and design categories will be held in conjunction with Congress at the Doubletree by Hilton – Toronto Airport Hotel on January 6, 2009.