Sheridan Nurseries wins two national awards

Sheridan Nurseries received two awards as part of Canadian Nursery and Landscape Association's (CNLA) National Awards of Landscape Excellence program. The two awards were the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) Grower of the Year Award for 2012 and the Chrysler Garden Centre Inspections Award.

Sheridan Nurseries was founded in 1913. With a proud heritage and legacy for innovation, Sheridan Nurseries has grown to be one of Canada's largest growers of hardy nursery plants. The company also operates nine garden centers in the greater Toronto area. Growing more than 1,200 cultivars of perennials and hardy nursery stock in Halton Hills, Ontario, Sheridan Nurseries ships 1.8 million plants annually to markets across Northeastern North America. Sheridan Nurseries has introduced many successful cultivars, including Green Velvet boxwood, Green Gem boxwood, Ivory Silk Japanese tree lilac and DeGroot's Spire cedar.

The RBC Grower of the Year Award evaluation process is based on International Horticultural Producers Association (AIPH) criteria. Sheridan Nurseries was evaluated in the following key areas:
1.Economic Performance and Marketplace Position
2.Innovation in Production and Growing Techniques
3.Market Orientation and Company Image
4.Environmental Standards
5.Human Resources Policies

The judging panel was represented by industry and business experts including growers, horticulturists, educators and related business professionals. Sheridan Nurseries will now go on to represent Canadian growers in the AIPH Grower of the Year Award hosted in the Netherlands September 2012.

Sheridan Nurseries' Mississauga, Ontario Garden Centre received the Chrysler Garden Centre Inspection Award for Most Improved Canadian Garden Centre in 2011. The Garden Centre Inspection program consists of an extensive evaluation of the retailer's facilities, products, presentation and service by an international retail consultant.

"It is an honour to receive these National Awards of Landscape Excellence from industry peers. This is a direct result of the commitment to excellence by our entire team. We are very proud to represent Canada at the next level and will continue to be leaders in the growing and retail industry," said Karl Stensson, president of Sheridan Nurseries.