Summer Trillium Recognition Program

The Summer Trillium Awards, administered by the Environmental Action Committee, celebrates beautiful curbside landscaping in Niagara Falls. This free program is open to all property owners, including residential, commercial, and industrial properties within the City of Niagara Falls.

About the Summer Trillium Awards

The mandate of the program is to foster city-wide beautification efforts from all property owners through recognition and encouragement. Residents are challenged each year to enhance their curbside appeal while utilizing basic horticultural and environmental considerations. Property owners are encouraged, through co-operation, to achieve a level of excellence in developing and maintaining their properties. 

Registration is now closed for the 2025 Summer Trillium Award

Please check back next year to participate.

2025 Awards Recipients

Our sponsors

• Presenting Sponsor: Niagara Peninsula Energy Inc.
• Sponsors: Mullen Garden Market, Niagara Falls Horticultural Society
• Award Ceremony Sponsor: Re/Max Niagara Realty Ltd. Brokerage, Daniela Mitrovic & Kathy Tsiantoulas

Key dates for 2025

• Nominations open: June 1 to July 1, 2025, at 4 pm. Registration is closed for the 2025 Summer Trillium Award. Please check back next year to participate.
• Nomination notices sent: By July 4, 2025
• Curbside photos taken: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 (8:30 am to 4:30 pm)
• Property assessments: Wednesday, July 30, 2025
• Award notifications sent (by mail): August 5 to 8, 2025 to participating properties
• Recognition of excellence Ceremony:
• RSVP: Participants will be sent a letter outlining the ceremony details and how to RSVP.  No tickets are needed
• Date: Wednesday, September 10, 2025
• Location: Gale Centre Arena – Memorial Room, 5152 Thorold Stone Road
• Time: Doors open at 6 pm, ceremony starts at 6:30 pm
• Guests: Limited to two people per property
• Dress code: Casual
• Food and beverage: Complimentary snacks and wine will be served
• Photos: We will be taking pictures of each award recipient with attending Council members

How to participate

Participation is free! You can nominate your property or someone else’s (with permission).

What to expect

• Submit a nomination: The online form is available online starting June 1. The deadline to submit a nomination is July 1. You will need the property’s full mailing address and your contact information
• City staff will take curbside photos on July 23. Please close your garage door and avoid parking on the curbside
• The Trillium Sub-Committee will assess properties based on photos and the scoring system. Review the scoring section for details
• Scores determine your rating (Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Award of Excellence). Review the award categories section for more details
• Ratings will be mailed out in early August
• Attend the awards ceremony on September 10 to receive your award

How properties are scored

The Trillium sub-committee views the property's curbside landscaping through photos taken in the summer. The Sub-committee will determine how well a property is maintained through the scoring system. Properties are assessed and given a score between 0 and 100. All assessed properties will be notified of their scoring outcome shortly after. We encourage you to keep your garage door closed during the assessment key dates, as we will be taking pictures of each property.

The committee assesses properties using a scoring system based on six key areas. 

1. Principles of Design – 20 points
   • Overall design principles, balance, rhythm and tastefulness
2. Turf – 10 points
   • Weed and disease conditions
   • Quality of turf edging
   • Uniqueness of ground cover
   • Does the ground cover invite foot traffic, unite beds and encourage pollinators?
3. Plant Maintenance & Diversity – 30 points
   • Pruning and deadheading
   • Use of perennials and native plants
   • Includes deciduous plants, unique specimens, evergreens, vegetables, fruit trees, or medicinal plants
4. Hardscaping Features – 10 points
   • Quality of paving surfaces, walkways, driveways, curbing, retaining walls and steps
   • Are service areas hidden from view?
5. Unique Features – 10 points
   • Hanging baskets, baskets, pots and ponds
   • Tastefulness, uniqueness and harmony decorations
   • Do containers have edible plants?
6. Environmental Practices – 20 points
   • Use of water conservation methods, like rain barrels and mulch
   • Attracts wildlife; native plants provide structure to encourage safe areas
   • Litter is clear of sight
   • Use of pollinators and edible plants

Award categories

There are four award categories and one participant category.

1. Award of Excellence (Score: 90-100 for consecutive years)
   • If a property earns a Gold Trillium one year, the owner can nominate it for evaluation the following year. If it scores 90 or higher again, it receives an Award of Excellence. This recognition includes a framed photo and a plaque
   • Award of Excellence properties are not eligible in future years but can request an honorary visit from the Committee
2. Gold Trillium (Score: 90-100)
   • This is the highest rating. It recognizes property owners who show outstanding dedication to their landscaping. Gold Trillium winners set an example for the community. If they maintain their high standards, they can apply for an Award of Excellence the following year
3. Silver Trillium (Score: 80-89.9)
   • This rating honours property owners who put in significant effort. They are close to achieving excellence but may need to refine a few details to reach Gold status. Property owners can re-enter the program the following year to try for a higher score
   • Owners can request a basic evaluation summary to help identify areas for improvement. [Request an evaluation.]

4. Bronze Trillium (Score: 70-79.9)

• This rating recognizes properties with a strong effort in landscaping. However, some areas may need improvement. Property owners can participate again the next year to build on their progress.
• Owners can request a basic evaluation summary to help identify areas for improvement. [Request an evaluation.]

5. Trillium Participant (Score: 0-69.9)
   • Properties that do not receive a coloured rating can still request an evaluation to get feedback and ideas for improvement. These owners are passionate about landscaping and eager to enhance their outdoor spaces. [Request an evaluation.]

Online garden series

Join Debbie Cank-Thatcher online for the Environmental Action Committee's first online gardening series. Debbie is a trained horticulturalist and professional landscaper in Niagara Falls. She is also a Sub-Committee member of the Niagara Falls Summer Trillium Program. Her passion is to help people fall in love with gardening.

Online Gardening Video Tips #1 - Container Potting Soil

Online Gardening Video Tips #2 - Window Boxes

Online Gardening Video Tips #3 - Lawns

Online Gardening Video Tips #4 - Pollinators

Related Links

• Niagara Falls Horticultural Society
• Niagara Parks School of Horticulture
• Landscaping Network
• Landscape Ontario
• The Environmental Action Committee