It's easy to grow a border which looks good in June, but fewer people are able to create such a stunning display in October. Grasses combine with bold Hylotelephium spectabile (Syn. Sedum spectabile), yellow sprays of the sunflower Helianthus 'Lemon Queen', delicate pinks of Nicotiana mutabilis, and a glorious silver maple – Acer saccharinum, to make a border full of colour, texture and contrasting shapes.

The setting sun was the ultimate gift from our majestic natural world, a moment of beauty which I was privileged to capture. For a while, I even forgot my cold-numbed fingers.

1st place - Beautiful Gardens