How Our Competition Works
3 Finalists, 1 Grand Prize Winner Takes the Honor & Prizes
Submit Your Outdoor Space
Sign up through our form below and upload 3 photos that capture the serene beauty of your landscaped outdoor space (must live within our eligible Illinois area)
Public Voting (Opens July 1)
We review submissions to confirm elgibility. Approved entries will be published. Browse the gallery and vote for your favorite. One vote per person.
Top 3 Finalists Advance
When public voting closes on July 15, the top 3 outdoor spaces by votes become finalists. Selmi’s selects the Grand Prize winner based on Serenity, Design, and Plant Health.
Winners Awarded
Grand Prize: $300 Selmi’s Gift Card, Garden of the Year yard sign, website/social feature, spring swag bag.
2 Runners Up: $50 Selmi’s Gift Card each, website/social feature.
Your Hard Work Deserves the Garden of the Year Spotlight
Submission Form is Open May 1st–June 30th
Gardening is a joyful practice that those of us who do it truly understand. We plant, design, and care for our outdoor spaces to bring beauty to our own lives and a little extra color to the neighborhood. Garden of the Year was created to recognize every local homeowner, and to honor the outdoor spaces that stand apart for their serenity, thoughtful landscaping, and thriving blooms.
This competition is open to our local area only. Entry is limited to residents of these eligible Illinois cities: Rock Falls, Sterling, Dixon, Nelson, Como, Galt, Prophetstown, Morrison, Lyndon, and Tampico.
Contestant Information
Main Image (required)
Upload your best cover image.
Addtl Image 1 (required)
Terms & Conditions
Addtl Image 2 (optional)
Public Voting Opens July 1st
140
Contestants
Garden Details:
Vegetable garden,
Flower gardens
Hanging baskets
Simple. Elegant.
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Violet S.
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Garden Details:
I love to see my flowers bloom ❤️
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Dennis S.
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Garden Details:
I made a wall off my patio colored it avocado green added a crate with some plants ti give it a cozy area ti sit on my patio. I had alot if people say they love it.
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Patricia H.
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Garden Details:
Flowers are beautiful but colored foliage lasts all season.. we used both to create gardens
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Randy M.
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Garden Details:
My gardens are designed with mostly native plants and to support birds, butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. Certified bird & butterfly sanctuary and monarch waystation featuring ponds, moon gardens, native blooms, pollinator habitat, and peaceful spaces created to connect people with nature.
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Lisa G.
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Garden Details:
Broken down and rusted pieces, thrifted and found come together with a magical vibe. It’s all about the vibe. I’m patiently waiting for blooms to pop and height to be achieved. Areas of art, a shaded path and sitting area for relaxing give colorful views from every angle. Lit up for a night mood too
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Billie Jo L.
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Garden Details:
Less than 1/4 acre. Over 500 daylily varieties. Over 500 hosta varieties. About 100 rose varieties. Many coneflowers, clematis, hydrangeas and other perennials.
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Jeff B.
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Garden Details:
Number one is my annual perennial garden number two is my tree stump creativity number three is my hosta garden around children play house on old silo foundation
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Kathy B.
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Garden Details:
Our outdoor space is planted with Proven Winners Supertunia Daybreak Charm, Suncredible Saturn sunflower, Sunbini III creeping zinnia, Toffee Twist sedge, and Goldilocks creeping Jenny, then layered with hot peppers, strawberries, basil, and tomatoes for a patio garden that feels colorful, fresh, and full of life all season long.
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Entry Example
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