GREEN-fingered Inverclyde residents rose to the occasion when they entered this year’s Cardwell Gardenfest competition.

The winners of the annual contest have been announced and trophies and certificates, along with a £50 gift voucher, were presented to the horticulture enthusiasts.

Greenock Telegraph: The winners of Cardwell’s Gardenfest competitionThe winners of Cardwell’s Gardenfest competition (Image: Macdonald Media/Cardwell Garden Centre)

The competition, organised by the Gourock garden centre, attracted entries from the local area as well as Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire and Ayrshire.

The Best Overall Garden prize was won for the second year in a row by Hugh Gibson, from Largs.

Greenock Telegraph: Hugh Gibson won the Best Overall Garden prize for the second year in a rowHugh Gibson won the Best Overall Garden prize for the second year in a row (Image: Macdonald Media/Cardwell Garden Centre)

The Best Planted Tubs award went to Sheena Keill, from Gourock, and the Best Hanging Baskets trophy was won by Arthur Mitchell, from Inverkip.

Greenock Telegraph: The Best Planted Tubs winner, Sheena’s Keill’s gardenThe Best Planted Tubs winner, Sheena’s Keill’s garden (Image: Macdonald Media/Cardwell Garden Centre)

The Blooming Inverkip group won the Best Wildlife Friendly Garden and the Best Community Garden trophy was lifted by Largs Community Garden, which is on an unused railway platform.

Greenock Telegraph: Jill Rafferty, left, and Jean Anderson from the Blooming Inverkip group won the Best Wildlife Friendly GardenJill Rafferty, left, and Jean Anderson from the Blooming Inverkip group won the Best Wildlife Friendly Garden (Image: Macdonald Media/Cardwell Garden Centre)

Greenock Telegraph: Irene and Frank McKinney from Largs Station Community Garden, who won the Best Community Garden trophy, with Greenock Telegraph editor, David GoodwinIrene and Frank McKinney from Largs Station Community Garden, who won the Best Community Garden trophy, with Greenock Telegraph editor, David Goodwin (Image: Macdonald Media/Cardwell Garden Centre)

Judges in this year’s Gardenfest competition were Cardwell Garden Centre director, Kieran Gallagher, and the Telegraph's own gardening expert George Irvine. The trophies were presented by Tele editor, David Goodwin.

Kieran said: “The standard of entries across the board was very high again this year and it was a difficult decision to pick the winners.

Greenock Telegraph: The winners of Cardwell’s Gardenfest competitionThe winners of Cardwell’s Gardenfest competition (Image: Macdonald Media/Cardwell Garden Centre)

“It’s obvious from how good the entries were that gardening is still a very popular activity. It’s a very enjoyable way to keep physically active and it’s also good for our mental health.

“Well done to the Gardenfest winners and I hope their beautiful gardens inspire others to take up or continue gardening and see their expertise literally blossom in front of their own eyes.”