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You've completed the project. The client is happy. Your team has moved on to the next job. So why take the time to enter an awards program? For past winners of the Texas Excellence in Landscaping Awards (TEIL), the answer goes beyond bringing home an award. TEIL gives Texas green industry professionals an opportunity to document their best work, recognize the people behind it and earn industry recognition for what their companies have accomplished. With the October 5 application deadline approaching, we asked recent winners what earning a TEIL Award meant to them. Recognition for the Work Your Team Is Already DoingFor Southern Botanical, earning a TEIL Award provides outside recognition of the quality its teams deliver.
Jeanette Gallardo, Marketing Coordinator at Southern Botanical, also has simple advice for companies wondering whether they should enter: “If you’re on the fence about applying, do it: the recognition speaks for itself.” There's an important point in that advice: your team has already done the difficult part. The project has been designed, installed, maintained or transformed. Entering TEIL gives you an opportunity to document that accomplishment and put the team's work in front of industry peers. An Award Can Help Build Your Company's ReputationFor Set Roots owner Kyle McLaughlin, TEIL recognition became part of a much larger company story. After purchasing the company in 2017 following 12 years working for a large commercial landscape maintenance firm, McLaughlin says Set Roots initially took on smaller projects because those were the opportunities available to the company. As the business grew, so did the work.
For him personally, the recognition represented something more. He described reaching that level as a remarkable achievement, something he hadn’t imagined would be possible when the company was getting started. That’s one of the strongest reasons to consider entering. The project you’re completing today could become part of the story you tell about your company tomorrow Even the Submission Process Can Have ValueWinning isn't the only benefit. Landscape architect Matt W. Stevens began submitting projects to TEIL a few years after starting his own company and overseeing the installation of his designs. He found value in the process itself. “The process gave me a chance to self-reflect and share my process with others.” The project photography he gathered for his entries also became material he could use on his own website. Stevens says he values having a statewide organization that can validate the work being done in the landscape design-build industry. Gallardo shared a similar perspective, noting that preparing a submission can “deepen your appreciation for the work your team has already accomplished. Think Your Project Isn't Award-Worthy? Take Another Look.TEIL recognizes outstanding Texas landscape projects across residential and commercial installation, maintenance, design, special projects and unique features. Your project doesn't have to look like someone else's winning project. Instead, consider the story behind your own work.
A strong TEIL entry doesn't require complicated marketing language. Start with a clear challenge → solution → result, then use strong project photography to support the story. Your Work Is Done. Don't Let the Opportunity Pass.If you've already started a TEIL application, now is the time to finish it. If you haven't started, there is still time to put your project forward. Applications close October 5. TEIL is open to green industry professionals with projects in Texas, and TNLA membership is not required. Entry fees are $250 for TNLA members and $300 for nonmembers. Winners will be recognized February 23, 2027, at the TNLA Awards Festival during the Lone Star Hort Forum in Waco. Your team did the work. Give them the opportunity to have it recognized. Questions? Contact Amber Aultman at [email protected] or call 512-579-3864.
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Companies that invest in workforce development are better positioned to grow. Explore TNLA's education pathways, certifications, and online training designed specifically for Texas landscape professionals Built on Convenience, Relationships, and Growth When you walk into Southwest Wholesale Nursery in Dallas, one thing becomes clear right away, this business is built around the customer. Or better yet… the customer never has to “walk in” at all. A Simpler Way to Serve Landscape Professionals At Southwest Wholesale Nursery, landscape contractors pull up, are greeted by name, and get exactly what they need—loaded right into their truck. No lines. No confusion. No wasted time. Owner, Steven Taber TMCNP, explained it best: “You could go to the grocery store and cook… but sometimes you just want the convenience of a restaurant.” That mindset has shaped their entire operation.  🌿 What Makes Southwest Different Southwest Wholesale Nursery has grown into a trusted resource for professionals across Texas by focusing on a few key things: ✔ Variety that contractors need They source plant material from across the country—including Texas, Oklahoma, California, North Carolina, and Oregon—so customers have more options in one place. ✔ Built for real-world workflows Everything is designed around how landscape professionals actually work—fast, efficient, and relationship-driven. ✔ Strong team and culture With around 100 employees, their team builds real relationships with customers. Many regulars even have a “go-to” staff member. 📈 Evolving with the Industry Southwest Wholesale Nursery isn’t just growing plants, they’re improving how they operate. In 2023, they made a simple but powerful shift: ➡️ Moving from paper tracking to a shared digital system employees can access from their phones. This allows their team to quickly see:
🌎 Growing the Next Generation Many new graduates say they want to work for growers but not all growing operations offer broad experience. Southwest Wholesale Nursery stands out because employees get exposure to a wide variety of plant material, helping them build real, practical knowledge. 🚜 Looking Ahead Currently operating on 30 of their 60 acres, Southwest Wholesale Nursery is already thinking about the future. With potential expansion opportunities nearby, they’re planning ahead, not just for growth, but also to address challenges like on-site flooding. 🤝 A True TNLA Partner Southwest Wholesale Nursery isn’t just a member, they’re a Strategic Partner, contributing over $30,000 in 2025 alone to support TNLA programs and events. That investment helps strengthen the entire industry.  💬 Join the Conversation Have you worked with Southwest Wholesale Nursery? 👉 Share your experience in the comments or connect with other professionals inside TNLA Hive.
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AuthorTNLA Staff Archives
September 2026
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