Green fingered Helensburgh and Lomond residents are encouraged to show off their beautiful gardens in a regional competition.

Entries to the Argyll Community Housing Association's annual Garden in Bloom competition have opened for this year.

Gardeners and horticulturists throughout the lower Lomond area will be able to not just win the title of ‘best garden’ and a commemorative trophy, but also gift vouchers for local businesses.

A representative said: “2022 gave us some beautiful gardens and the standard of competition was very high, so we are very much looking forward to this year’s entries.

“Once we have your entry form, we will send someone to take photographs which will be judged by ACHA’s board of management.

“The winners will receive vouchers which are redeemable locally, certificates and trophies.”

Entries will be judged on their tidiness, health, design, diversity, and structure and harmony.

Participants have until July 28 to hand in the application form.

There is also a sunflower competition open to nursery school children which challenges pre-school kids to grow the tallest flower – either as individuals or as a class – with the winner being awarded vouchers.

The sunflower competition will be judged in September, giving participants the whole of summer to grow their flowers.

While other areas in Argyll have prizes for categories such as wild gardens and bulbs, the best garden and best sunflower categories are the only options on offer in Helensburgh and Lomond.

To access an application form for the gardening competition, visit: www.acha.co.uk/resources/A4-Flyer-for-Website-2023.pdf.