Blooming marvellous

Art teacher Jill Searle knew all about Southampton in Bloom because she always encouraged her pupils to take part in the children's poster section of the competition.

Although she loves plants, she was never able to enter the main part of the competition herself because she didn't have her own garden.

All that changed when she finally moved to a house with a garden in Shirley.

She immediately set to work, creating a stylish, leafy garden which was ready in time for the 'First Time Entry' section of last year's contest.

"To be honest," said Jill, "I never thought I'd get anywhere because I didn't really know anything about garden design, apart from what I'd read in books.

"I'd seen pictures of previous winners and they all seemed to have masses of bright-coloured flowers.

"My garden's not like that at all, in fact it's a bit on the wild side!

"It was a bit nerve-racking getting ready for the competition but the judges were very complimentary and encouraging. I was really pleased to win third prize!

"It's given me more confidence about my ability and it has also changed my perception of Southampton in Bloom.

"I now know that all kinds of gardens can be considered, so I think other people should just have a go, even if they're not too sure about it."

Jill enjoyed the whole experience so much that she has now enrolled for a ten-week garden design course. This is one of the community courses offered at the Mountbatten School in Romsey, where she works.

Jill was just one of the 'first timers' who made a great impression on the judges in the 2003 competition.

Another newcomer was Phyllis Barnett, of Honeysuckle Road, Swaythling, whose back garden has immaculate lawns and borders full of healthy and unusual plants.

Her husband David is disabled but he helps to select plants and spends as much time as possible outside in the garden with Phyllis.

"We generally buy plants from Haskins Garden Centre," said Phyllis. "We bought one plant - a climbing hydrangea - which never flowered. The manager of Haskins came down to our garden have a look at the plant and to give us some advice.

"David showed him round our back garden and he was so impressed, he said we should enter the competition."

This proved to be well-informed advice, for Haskins Garden Centre is one of the sponsors of Southampton in Bloom - and Phyllis went on to win first prize in the First Time Entry section. She won a season ticket to Exbury Gardens.

Second prize for first-timers went to Brian Ramsey, of Coventry Road, Polygon, who created a dazzling display in his tiny terrace garden.

Lesley Maguire took joint third place with her 'oasis' in Cheviot Road, Millbrook, which is packed with ferns, bamboos and many other lovely plants.

The competition has the backing of Southampton City Council, with council employee Nicolette Taylor taking the role of competition co-ordinator.

But City Council Parks Development Manager Robert Whitfield said: "Most of the work is done by a group of volunteers. They spend many hours organising, visiting and judging the gardens.

"In fact, the competition has snowballed so much in recent years that running Southampton in Bloom has now become a year round task!

"The council is delighted with the success of the competition because it generates pride in our city and helps to create a better and more enjoyable environment for everyone. We hope lots of other newcomers will join in the fun by taking part in the 2004 contest."

The wonderful gardens on these pages were among the 31 first time entries in 2003, proving what can be achieved by green-fingered people with little competitive experience.

Many of the gardeners enjoyed themselves so much that they will be going on to enter other categories in 2004, such as Best Cottage Garden or Wildlife Garden sections or - most fiercely contested of all - the Best Private Garden competition.