Couple named the winners of Best Garden 2022

Alan and Helen Kirby were voted to have the best garden in Worcester, chosen from a shortlist of finalists. 

Mr Kirby said: "We love our garden because it is an opportunity to be creative with the design and it gives us an end result that we enjoy working, relaxing and entertaining in. 

"Although we have had the garden for 38 years, initially it was a complete tip, but it has undergone many changes since then.

From left to right: Stuart Beasley, Alan Kirby and Helen Kirby

"10 years ago we had a modern extension put onto the house and redesigned the garden in a contemporary style to reflect that.

"We used straight edges and black woodwork which shows off the many varieties of foliage plants that are densely planted in the borders.

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"We opened our garden for the first time this year for The National Garden Scheme (NGS) as part of the North Worcester Gardens Group.

"Preparation for the opening was a lot of hard work but it was great to talk to so many people about our garden and what they were doing in theirs.

"It was the wonderful comments we got on these open days that encouraged us to enter the Worcester News competition.

St Peter's Garden Centre: Sponsor of the Worcester News Best Garden 2022 competition

The couple live in Sheldon Park Road in Bevere, Worcester.

Mr Kirby said: "A lot of the visitors were completely surprised by what can be achieved in a small unusually shaped rear garden on a small housing estate and this is what makes it special to us.

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"For anyone thinking of getting into gardening you can visit some of the many NGS gardens that are open around the area and the Malvern show, to get ideas that would work in your plot.

"When you start planting don’t be afraid to move plants around or discard plants that aren’t performing well and eventually you will end up with a garden that you love."