GARDEN of the year

This year’s winner is Mary Price from Rhondda, South Wales, and her own words explain what her garden means to her better than any judge can: “The garden is my world in every season. Working in it keeps me young and well.

“I find it therapeutic and uplifting. The garden is never without birds, butterflies and bees.

“Without boasting, it’s admired by all around, and friends and neighbours come often to enjoy it.

“I am 79 years young and require no help with the garden generally, except to trim wisteria and other high growers as I’m quite short. I do not in any way think of being a winner, but I have so enjoyed the journey.”

I recognise the sentiments about gardening keeping you young and healthy. Gardens aren’t always going to be picture perfect – it takes hard work, skill and hope to keep going.

Mary’s cottage garden is a wonderland. It doesn’t bother with trends, it appreciates the simplicity of an old crazy paving patio leading to a happy looking shed. It welcomes the hills beyond as an integral feature to the overall design and the washing line is as important as any hydrangea.

At a glance I see shrubs, bulbs, annuals and climbers all in flower simultaneously. This is an explosion of colour which demonstrates the knowledge and skill that has created it.

There’s a humility in its sharing –

Mary doesn’t regard it or expect it to be a winner but to my mind it’s a true winner in every sense of the word.