[Press Release] Outstanding Native Landscapes to be Recognized in October

Applications are open now for the competitive FNPS Landscape Awards

State of Florida, July 5, 2023.-- The Florida Native Plant Society board and volunteers are gearing up to accept applications for the 2023 landscape awards. Gardeners, businesses, government agencies, HOA’s, and community groups are invited to apply for the annual awards. Professionals and amateurs can showcase a landscaped project or their own garden.

The 2023 awards underwent some revamping to streamline the categories and highlight sustainable garden practices. Applications can be found at the Florida Native Plant Society website, fnps.org. Deadline for submissions is August 31, 2023. Winners will be announced on October 1, 2023, to kick off Florida Native Plant month in October across the state.

Categories include single-family residence, multi-family and non-residential sites, butterfly or wildflower gardens, and restoration projects. One first place “Native Garden of Excellence” may be awarded in each category and one or more honor awards may be given. Applications are required to include project narratives touching upon pre-existing conditions, favorite native plants, design inspiration and concept, list of wildlife and pollinators using the site, maintenance routine, preservation of existing native vegetation, use of sustainable practices, and any educational components. Winners will receive an annual FNPS membership, admission to the annual conference, an attractive yard sign, and feature stories in the Palmetto magazine and the Sabal minor newsletter. Entry fees range from $40 for residential gardens to $100 for commercial landscapes. A minimum 2-year grown-in period before submittal is required, as well as the exclusion of invasive plants from the site.

“Florida is the land of gardens, and we want to encourage folks to help us find those gardens that exemplify the beauty of native plants,” said Lynda Davis, FNPS Executive Director, “our society members and the public can learn from formally designed gardens or someone’s front yard. The benefits to wildlife, water quality, and pollinators are immeasurable.”

The Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) preserves, conserves and restores the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Since the 1980s, this organization has been advocating for increased protection for threatened and endangered plants and plant communities. FNPS encourages the planting of native plants in home, commercial, and institutional landscapes. It is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization with over 6,000 members in 33 chapters statewide. To learn more, please visit us at https://www.fnps.org/

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