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Which of the Garden of the Year competition winners will receive the People's Choice Award?

Readers can vote for the People's Choice Award winner three categories: small space, wildlife friendly and challenging plot - BBC Gardener's World Magazine
Readers can vote for the People's Choice Award winner three categories: small space, wildlife friendly and challenging plot - BBC Gardener's World Magazine

Gardeners can now vote for the garden they would most like to see win the Gardener's World Garden of the Year People's Choice Award.

Voters can choose from three winning gardens spanning three categories: small space, wildlife friendly and challenging plot.

Now in its second year, the competition has seen readers nominate private gardens across the three categories in a bid to find the very best gardens in the UK.

A panel of expert judges including Gardener's Question Time presenter Bunny Guinness, RSPB’s wildlife expert Adrian Thomas, and RHS horticulturalist Janine Pattison have selected the three category winners and two runners’ up for each category, as well as a Judges’ Choice overall winner.

The gardens range from a transformed cottage garden, to contemporary family spaces and amazing wildlife havens.

The closing date for votes is Thursday 2 November, 2017. The winner of the People's Choice Award will be announced in the December issue of BBC Gardeners' World magazine, out Thursday 23 November, 2017.

Small Space

Winner, and Judge's Choice

Caroline Cassell's "Circular Seclusion": Waltham Abbey, Essex (11m x 4m)

Caroline Cassell - Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine
Caroline Cassell Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine

What she did:Transformed her traditional cottage garden by creating a series of rooms – there’s a dining area, a patio and the lawn leads to a deck that catches late-afternoon sun. Circles give the illusion that the garden is wider than just 4m, and she’s used every available space, including the walls and fencing. "It’s very secluded, even though I’m surrounded on all sides."

Why the judges like it:It's a private, romantic and exuberantly planted space. Her clever design makes the garden flow and every bit of space is used.

Vote now

Wildlife Friendly

Winner

Helen Rushton "Sweeping Meadows": Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

Helen Rushton - Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine
Helen Rushton Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine

Why wildlife is attracted:What started as derelict croft and rough farmland now, 26 years later, has three ponds, dozens of boxes for bats and nesting birds, and hidden spots for hedgehogs. Planting provides food for wildlife and Helen delays trimming hedges until the birds finish nesting.

What creatures visit: Birds, bats, hedgehogs, butterflies, moths and bees. The compost heaps draw pygmy shrews and roe deer like the wildflower meadow.

Why the judges like it: There are a diverse collection of habitats, including a bug tower.

Vote now

Challenging Plot

Winner

Caroline Critchlow's "Windswept Wonder": Orkney

Caroline Critchlow - Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine
Caroline Critchlow Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine

The challenge:Exposed location with 100mph winds.

How she tackled it: Battling storm-force winds, which often blew off her glasses while gardening, Caroline and husband Kevin transformed a derelict plot using stone walls, raised beds, sculptures and the spectacular pond. Plants are staked – including those in the pond, to stop them being washed away by waves in the pond! "The setting's fantastic, with views over Scapa Flow. We used colours to reflect the sea," says Caroline.

Why the judges like it:A great achievement and the design enhances the fabulous view.

Vote now

Gardener's World - Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine
Credit: BBC Gardener's World Magazine

You can read more about the winners and the runner-up gardens in the latest issue of Gardeners’ World magazine, on sale now.