Mayor’s Garden Contest

Clematis blossoms in the June garden. (Photo © Hilda M. Morrill)
Clematis blossoms in the June garden. (Photo © Hilda M. Morrill)

Mayor Martin J. Walsh is alerting Boston’s green thumbs that they have until Friday, July 8, to register for the Mayor’s 2016 Garden Contest presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department with a grand prize provided by JetBlue.

Now in its 20th year, the contest recognizes gardeners who have landscaped, planted flowers, trees and shrubs, and, in the process, helped beautify Boston’s neighborhoods.

First place winners will receive the coveted “Golden Trowel” award from Mayor Walsh and prize packages from the Parks Department, Mahoney’s Garden Centers of Brighton, and other sponsors at an awards ceremony, which will be held in August in the Public Garden, Boston.

First place winners in this year’s Garden Contest will also be entered into a drawing for a JetBlue Grand Prize consisting of roundtrip flights for two to any nonstop destination from Boston. Terms, conditions, and blackout dates apply.

Gardeners who have won three or more times in the last ten years will be automatically entered into the Hall of Fame and will be recognized at the awards ceremony in August. These distinguished Hall-of-Famers will be ineligible to enter as contestants but are welcome to return as judges.

Gardeners, or those nominating their favorite gardeners, may find printable and online nomination forms at www.cityofboston.gov/parks. Entry forms will also be available at Boston City Hall, Boston Community Centers, and the various Boston Public Library branches. For more information, call 617-635-4505.

Best Wishes to all!