European Garden Award

Europäischer Gartenpreis

The European Garden Heritage Network EGHN with its partners in 8 European countries (France, UK, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy, Sweden and Ireland) started the European Garden Award in 2010.

The European Garden Award does not solely focus on spectacular garden art or well-maintained herbaceous borders. According to the traditions of EGHN and based on its objectives and specific skills and experiences, the award follows a broader approach.


Nominations are based on innovative implementation and management, on urban development aspects, on sustainability, on good visitor services or voluntary work as well as on high quality of restoration or modern design of a park or garden. The finalists and winners are sought after as inspirational and as models for other projects.

Within two categories, this award will annually honour exceptional achievements in garden culture and in making use of parks and gardens in urban and regional development policies.

The first category will look at historic parks and gardens that have been subject to exemplary restoration, enhancement or development measures or activities related to social inclusion, education, environment or visitor services.

The second category will indentify high quality and innovative contemporary concepts and designs of parks and gardens already implemented or in progress of realisation.

Additionally, in an open category a Special Award of the Foundation Schloss Dyck, Centre for Garden Art and Landscape Design, can be awarded, e.g. to a group or initiative supporting the creation or restoration of a park or garden or to a successful garden arts event.

The selection of nominees and winners will not at all be limited to the sites, partners and countries within the EGHN network.

The members of the international jury nominate parks, gardens, urban spaces, initiatives, project, single persons etc. and then – during a joint meeting, normally in June - make a decision about the three finalists within each category. These are then presented to the public.

The winners will be announced and all finalists will receive their awards in September during an event at Schloss Dyck (Germany).