Blacktown City Garden Competition champion named

Published on 04 November 2020

A Japanese garden, an orchid house, a fairy garden, a pond full of fish and frogs, and even a bee hotel are features of the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition’s ‘Champion Garden’.

The prestigious prize of overall City champion was awarded to Bruce Pederson for his gloriously green property on Christine Crescent in Lalor Park.

The Lalor Park resident was also awarded 1st place in both the ‘Best Front Garden’ and ‘Best Back Garden’ categories, and was named the winner of the Ward 2 category.

The garden areas of the property have been an ongoing project for Mr Pederson and his wife Lyn since the couple first moved there 17 years ago.

The gardens also feature a cubby house, a chicken house, a herb and vegetable garden, a bonsai section, a cottage garden, and 7 active bird nests, as well as plants such as rare tillandsias.

“Blacktown City is already such a beautiful place to live, work, and visit, and the care and attention of our wonderful local green thumbs only add to the vibrancy of our community,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“I congratulate Bruce and Lyn Pederson for their exceptional garden and a very well-deserved win.

“It was truly a delight to visit their Lalor Park home and to see up close for myself the time, effort, and passion they have poured into their garden – the end result is truly spectacular.

“The calibre of gardens in this year’s competition is something all entrants can all be proud of, and is a clear testament to the passion and dedication of the people of Blacktown City.

“I would like to acknowledge the efforts of residents and community groups alike, and to show my appreciation for their contribution to beautifying our great City.”

114 people entered the Garden Competition in 2020, which is more than double the number of entrants in 2019.

Entries were assessed on design, construction, maintenance and sustainability.

Categories included best Australian native garden, best sustainable garden, and best themed or novel garden.

The Garden Competition also featured categories for our senior citizens and gardeners with a disability, as well as community and commercial gardens, education facility gardens and edible gardens.

For more information on the winners of the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/Awards-scholarships-and-competitions/Blacktown-City-Garden-Competition.

Picture: (left to right) Lyn Pederson and Bruce Pederson with Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale, at the Pederson’s Lalor Park home which won the 2020 Blacktown City Garden Competition’s ‘Champion Garden’ award.