GARDENS from across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire have been showcased in photos as part of a competition run by the Gazette this month.

The competition sponsored by Almondsbury Garden Centre, Bristol’s biggest independent garden centre, was designed to bring out the beauty of readers’ gardens on camera, for a chance to win a prize.

With the emerging good weather, this gave keen photographers a chance to capture their gardens as they come to life at this time of year.

The winning entry came from Dursley resident Mark Hughes, for his picture of white apple blossoms surrounded by colourful plants and a clear blue sky.

In winning, Mark receives the prize of a £75 gift voucher for Almondsbury Garden Centre.

Also pictured are images from Hawkesbury Upton resident Linda Allen and Alveston resident Mo Turton, which were named as runners-up.
Gazette photographer Steve Richards, who picked the winning entry, said:

“We received such a wide array of entries for the competition that it was tough to choose the overall winner. Ranging from pictures of individual plants, to wider shots of the whole garden, it was interesting to see how people interpreted the challenge.

“Gardens are an interesting topic to take pictures of as people often already have an idea of what they consider to be the focal point of their garden.

“It can give the photographer a chance to play with tone, light and colour without leaving home.

“The challenge then becomes a choice of whether to highlight that feature, or try to capture the garden as a whole.

“Mark’s photo is great as it has a wide variety of vibrant colours from the plants and the wonderful clear sky, yet really highlights the white flowers towards the centre of the picture.”

Winning photographer Mark said: “I just liked the juxtaposition in the picture between the sky and the blossom. It really says spring is here!

“Even though it was just a phone grab taken on my Samsung, you can almost smell it.

“It is quite a surprise, I haven’t won anything before, I need to get this soppy grin off my face.”