Juries & awards 2026
Exhibitors
Technical Committee, which evaluates the breadth of the collection, attention to research, rarity of species, etc. (only for nursery exhibitors).
Aesthetic Committee, which judges staging of spaces, as well as lighting solutions
Companies awarded by each Commitee are highlighted in the next edition’s catalogue, recognisable by the “Excellency” label.
Technical committee
*Collection Award for the most impressive collection
*Super Specimen Award for the plant that represents uniqueness in terms of shapes, sizes, colors, and/or fragrance in the edition
*Novelty Award for the edition’s uniqueness or rarity
*Cultural Preparation Award for the best labeling and preparation of nursery exhibitors on their plants, with particular attention to the types of plants selected for the edition
Aesthetic committee
*Best Products set-up Award (for non-nursery exhibitors)
*Best Plants set-up Award (for nursery exhibitors)
*Iconic Product Award
Awarded to the product that best represents, through its shapes, dimensions, colors and/or scent, the uniqueness of the Orticolario edition.
*Cultural Preparation Award
Awarded to the best preparation and communication within the exhibitor’s space
The prizes awarded to exhibitors are sculptures from the Oneiroi collection, created by Studio Pepa for Orticolario. Crafted in glazed ceramic, the artwork gives tangible form to the dreamlike universe of the 2026 edition.
Studio Pepa / studiopepa.com / @studio_pepa
Creative Speces & out-of-competition installations
Creative committee
The Creative committee evaluates the exhibitors according to a range of criteria, including: consistency with the theme; correspondence between the submitted design and its execution; quality and attention to detail; balance of forms and volumes; use of light and colour; thoughtful use of plants and quality of botanical selection; innovation in materials; genius loci; design concept; environmental sustainability; and historical and artistic references.
*Foglia d’oro del Lago di Como Award
Prize conceived and created exclusively for Orticolario by Gino Seguso of Vetreria Artistica Archimede Seguso / aseguso.com
A vase crafted on the island of Murano (Venice), featuring a large swaying leaf enriched with shimmering accents of 24-carat gold leaf.
*Empathy Award for a space that tells a story, communicates, and evokes emotion
*Best Art and Design Installation Award
*Press Award for Innovation in Materials and Ecosustainability
*Visitors’ Award for the creative space voted by the public
The Empathy, out-of-copetition installations and Press Awards are sculptures from the Oneiroi collection, created by Studio Pepa for Orticolario. Crafted in glazed ceramic, the artwork gives tangible form to the dreamlike universe of the 2026 edition.
Studio Pepa / studiopepa.com / @studio_pepa
Special Awards
*Gardenia Awardfor the most memorable nursery, exhibitor, or installation of the edition
*Villa d’Este Award where style and elegance blend into a timeless tradition
*Villa Carlotta Award for the enhancement of art in the garden, where nature and human ingenuity coexist harmoniously
*Grandi Giardini Italiani Award for a place capable of welcoming visitors while expressing art in all its forms, with particular attention to the destination and role of the project, both for the local community and the tourist
*NEW IN 2026*
La Grande Brera Award
*President Award / Moritz Mantero, president of Orticolario