As in years past, judges for this all-volunteer effort had strong gardening backgrounds. They were trained and guided by Arboretum Foundation members. Gardens were rated using a scoring sheet and point system to assess overall design, plant use, diversity of plant material and other markers of excellence. Those that made the first cut were advanced to the second round, where new teams of judges viewed and reassessed the gardens until the choices were narrowed to the three finalists.

The grand prize winner receives hotel expenses and round-trip air tickets for two to London's 2005 Chelsea Flower Show. Second-place winners receive a trip for two to this year's San Francisco Flower & Garden Show, while third place garners a $500 cash award.

The top 15 winners each received $100 gift certificates from Swanson's Nursery last summer during an awards ceremony at Washington Park Arboretum. Twenty other prizes — dubbed the Golden Scoop Award — were given for especially inspirational gardens. Recipients received Soil Scoop gift boxes donated by Garden Works of Bellevue.

Judges for the final, third round were David Lewis, a Bainbridge Island garden artist and a partner in Little and Lewis; Daniel Billey, owner of Silverleaf Landscape Inc., a design-build landscaping firm; and Lisa Pfeiffer, president of Pfeiffer Landscaping Inc. The Arboretum Foundation's Janet Endsley, the competition chairwoman, accompanied these judges.

Endsley will offer a slide show of award-winning gardens during the Northwest Flower & Garden Show. Check The Seattle Times' show schedule for details.

— Dean Stahl