The Betty Crocker Landscape Awards are an annual attempt to recognize some of the thousands of people who work every day to make Hawaii a more beautiful place. Some do it for a living and some do it for a hobby, but all of them do it out of a love of the land and an appreciation of the natural beauty of the Islands. We salute each and every one of them.

The awards are named for Betty Crocker, the founder of the organization who worked for more than 20 years to protect and preserve the state's beauty and scenic views and to encourage new beautification efforts wherever possible. She passed away in 2000.

More on the 2005 Betty Crocker Award Winners

14 Gardens Honored in 2005 ~ Betty Crocker award winners came in all sizes, colors
Fourteen private, professional and community gardeners were named the top winner of the 2005 Betty Crocker Landscape Awards sponsored by Scenic Hawaii this year.

This year's awards ranged from small backyard efforts on Oahu to a commercial lavendar garden on Maui. Aso named winner were volunteer landscapers whko maintain grounds of several public schools and commercial buildings on Oahu.

The group also honored the Pacific Heights/Pauoa Valley Community
Association as volunteers of the year for its efforts to replant and maintain several roadside areas in the neighborhood.

Here's a look at all of this year's winners.

Wedding Reception Garden (Aloha Wedding Chapel)
In 2002 landscape architect John K. Mossman was asked to complete another phase of the gardens at "World of Aloha" at Kahaluu. The call was to create a simple peaceful and serene environment using coco palms, kukui trees, gingers, heliconias and green ti.

Mom's Garden
Owner Bernie Leonard has been lovingly cultivating this garden on an acre ofland in Waimanalo for about 30 years with a special love for succulents and cacti. Using drift wood, shells, rocks, beach glass and other treasures has created a space full of whimsy, humor and dozens of varieties of plants.

AIi'i Kula Lavender Garden