Wight In Bloom 2023 Isle of Wight gardening winners

The competition's patron, broadcaster Alan Titchmarsh and Visit Isle of Wight managing
director, Will Myles, presented the awards on Friday.

Lucas Richards, 16, Nettlestone, won two accolades - for Best Young People Initiative and the Peggy Jarman Trophy, which is handed to the overall winner.

Lucas, who has been gardening all his life, said: "Gardening is very therapeutic."

From left, Farringford's Ellen Penstone-Smith with Alan Titchmarsh; Overall winner of the Peggy Jarman Award, Lucas Richards, Terry Jarman and Alan Titchmarsh. (Image: Wight In Bloom.)

He added: "You just go out to the garden, do a couple chores and it really gets the stress off.

"I would love to make a career, but I see more of it as a hobby now - a very relaxing hobby!"

Alan Titchmarsh MBE said: "Isle of Wight gardeners always come up trumps.

"Lucas won an award last year and when I saw him he gave me a
photograph of me and him, when I presented him with his first award, when he
was a young school boy.

"To watch, Lucas come through and this year and win the Peggy Jarman Trophy was quite an emotional moment for me."

From left, St Maur in Ventnor and Robin Hill Country Park. (Image: Wight in Bloom.)

Left, Pat Sowerbutts and right, Alan Titchmarsh with St Maur's David Groocock. (Image: Wight In Bloom.)

While Mottistone Gardens won Best Small Tourist Attraction Garden and Robin Hill Country Park won Best Large Tourist Attraction Garden,  Ventnor's St Maur Hotel was named the winner of the Best Commercial Garden award.

The Sandown Green Town Volunteers, who planted beds on the Cliff Path, were awarded the Pride of Place Floral Project award, while Newport resident Sandy Crump had the Best Small Front Garden.

The Best Large Front Garden award went to Colin and Hilary Bailey, from Newchurch.

This year, winners won a £30 Isle of Wight gift card and overall winner, Lucas, won a mentoring sessions from CAR gardens.

Pat Sowerbutts, left and Alan Titchmarsh, right, with the Robin Hill gardening team. (Image: Wight In Bloom.)

Farringford Estate in Freshwater, home of Alfred, Lord Tennyson, was the Patrons' Award winner.

Judges described the 'inspiring' garden as "sympathetic to the history of the site. 

"It makes a nod to the writer that lived here and has a huge range of plants."

Whitwell's Glenn Martin had the Best Edible Garden and Nicky Robinson in Cowes created the best garden in containers.

Rookley's Sarah Starsmore won Best Care Giving Complex Garden.