Maidenhead & Windsor

The sweet smell of success will be in the air on Thursday evening as Windsor and Maidenhead Royal Borough gardeners finally learn who's the "pick of the bunch" in this year's Garden in Bloom competition.

There will be "bouquets" a-plenty in the shape of certificates and gift vouchers for the ward winners and runners-up of the highly-contested annual scheme - with a special prize, voucher and certificate for the overall winner.

All will be revealed on Thursday (September 20) at the awards ceremony in the Town Hall, Maidenhead, when winners and runners-up in each of the 19 wards in this year's competition will gather to receive their prizes and learn the name of the overall winner.

Now in its 15th successful year, Garden in Bloom acknowledges the important contribution front gardens make to the appearance of towns and villages - and residents are encouraged to nominate either their own or neighbours' front gardens for consideration in the scheme.

Judging took place during the summer on a ward-by-ward basis - and in the wake of last summer's heatwave and subsequent hosepipe ban entrants were urged to put water conservation high on their list of priorities and plan their gardens using plants which can survive on less water than traditional garden species.

Cllr Jesse Grey, lead member for Windsor and Maidenhead leisure and culture, said: "As it turned out, this particular challenge was ironic in view of the weather we've had this summer - now officially recorded as the wettest since records began!

"I would like to congratulate everyone who took part in this year's competition for all their hard work in creating gardens for the rest of us to enjoy."

Gardens have been judged on design and impact, originality, the variety of plants, maintenance of the garden and any special features such as bird boxes or ornaments and sculptures which add extra dimensions to the garden.

This year's competition has been sponsored by Farnham Common Nurseries and Windowflowers. Representatives of both organisations will join the Mayor of the Royal Borough, Cllr Leo Walters, in welcoming guests and handing out prizes at Thursday's ceremony.

The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead