2026 Landscape Design Award Recipients Announced at the PPA National Symposium

East Lansing, Michigan – July 31, 2026 – During the Perennial Plant Association’s (PPA) 2026 National Symposium in East Lansing, Michigan, 12 landscape design companies were recognized for their exceptional projects through the organization’s annual Landscape Design Awards program.

The entries were judged across eight categories representing residential, commercial, educational and temporary/seasonal landscape designs, as well as projects based on production cost. Designs could be either standalone projects or sections of larger landscapes, with a primary emphasis on the use of herbaceous perennials alongside other plant materials.

Six of the eight categories are based on the wholesale cost of the project, while two recognize specialty garden designs.

Established in 1992, the Landscape Design Awards program recognizes exemplary projects that demonstrate the outstanding use of herbaceous perennials to create balanced, beautiful and sustainable landscapes. The program highlights the “after-market” applications of growers’ products and celebrates excellence in the design, installation and maintenance of perennial landscapes. Both experienced and emerging designers are encouraged to participate.

Each year, judges evaluate outstanding landscape designs and select the most exceptional entries based on the effective use of herbaceous perennial plant material, including the implementation of new cultivars, creative color combinations, textures and seasonal interest.

“The 2026 Landscape Design Awards entries reflected the passion, talent and vision of today’s perennial professionals,” said Jon Peter, PPA Board member and Landscape Design Awards Committee member. “We were impressed by the diversity of designs, the creative use of plants, and the thoughtful approaches to sustainability and year-round interest. These award-winning projects demonstrate the significant impact that well-designed landscapes can have on our communities and environments. Congratulations to this year’s winners for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the profession.”

Once again, the Perennial Plant Association received more entries than in previous years, with projects submitted across nearly every award category. Recipients received either an Award of Merit or the program’s highest honor, the Award of Excellence.

2026 Landscape Design Award Recipients

Class I: Residential – Less Than $25,000

• Award of Merit: Mangum Flats — Preston Montague

Class II: Residential – $25,000 to $100,000

• Award of Excellence: Cape Dune Garden — Angell Landscape Architecture, PLLC
• Award of Merit: Wild Pines — FORM Garden Design
• Award of Merit: Garden District Reimagined — Melissa Horner / Refugia Design
• Award of Merit: Shayan Residence at Middlebrook — Kelly D. Norris, LLC

Class III: Residential – More Than $100,000

• Award of Excellence: Woodland Glade Sanctuary — Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture
• Award of Merit: A Garden on South Bay — Ben O’Brien, Wild by Design
• Award of Merit: Puddock Hill — Maffei Landscape Design, LLC

Class VI: Commercial – More Than $100,000

• Award of Excellence: Oak Park — Kelly D. Norris, LLC

Class VII: Public Horticulture

• Award of Excellence: Future Plants Landscape: A Botanical Innovation Hub — Stefano Marinaz Landscape Architecture, Future Plants, Deltavormgroep & Piet Oudolf
• Award of Merit: Media Library Rain Garden — Pierie Korostoff and Jeff Lorenz / Refugia Design
• Award of Merit: Millennium Park Cloud Gate Grainger Plaza Gardens — Millennium Park Foundation & Site Design Group, Ltd.

The Perennial Plant Association extends its congratulations to all of the 2026 Landscape Design Award recipients.

About the Perennial Plant Association

The Perennial Plant Association is a trade association composed of growers, retailers, landscape designers, contractors, educators and other professionals involved in the herbaceous perennial industry.

Since 1984, the Association has worked to connect professionals, provide education and promote perennial plants throughout the horticulture industry.

Read more about the PPA Landscape Design Awards program here.