The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has revealed the results of its annual photographic competition - RHS Photographic Competition 2019.

California-based photographer, Richard Caldwell has been named the winner of the overall 'RHS Photographic Competition' title with his aerial photograph of a community garden in Laguna Woods, LA which was entered into the 'Urban Gardening' category.

'Urban Garden' by Richard Caldwell - Overall Winner of RHS Photographic Competition 2019

Speaking about his victory, Richard said: "This is one of my favourite places I have taken a photograph of. Using a drone enabled me to get a completely unique look at a community garden. I love the geometry and the organisation of it all and I framed it to capture as much of this 'matrix' of gardens as possible, while still maintaining the integrity of the garden pattern itself.

It’s a great honour to be the winner of the RHS Photographic Competition, giving me validation that I am improving my craft, which I am now encouraged to develop further!"

Jake Kneale from Wiltshire has been crowned the 'Young Winner' of the RHS Photographic Competition 2019 with his ethereal image of a spider’s web in a Wiltshire meadow.  

‘The Long Wait’ by Jake Kneale - Young Winner of RHS Photographic Competition 2019

The competition was open to both professional and amateur photographers who were invited to submit images to any of the nine categories. Prizes have been awarded for first, second and third place across all categories which include Celebrating Gardens, Welcoming Garden Wildlife, All About Plants, Abstract, Urban Gardening, Social Media, 11-17; and under 11s categories.

The winning photographs across all categories will be on display at the RHS London Art and Photography Show (23-25 July 2019). From 2 September-11 October 2019, there will also be outdoor displays of the winning images at RHS Gardens Wisley, Rosemoor, Harlow Carr and Hyde Hall.

The RHS Photographic Competition 2020 is now open to entries, closing at 10am on 2 March 2020. It's free to enter and open to anyone from professionals to amateurs.

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RHS Photographic Competition 2019 Full List Of Winners: 

Overall Adult Winner 

• Urban Garden by Richard Caldwell, Laguna Woods in Orange County, California, USA

Overall Young Winner

• The Long Wait by Jake Kneale, A Wiltshire Meadow

Abstract

• 1st - Dandelion Fairies by Vicky Phillips, Suffolk
• 2nd - Leaves Abstract by Valerie Walker, Kew Gardens, Princess of Wales Conservatory
• 3rd - The Winter Garden by Svetlana Tarasova, Bogimovo village, Kaluga region

All About Plants

• 1st - Standing Tall by Mike Blacknell, Stoke Park Woods, Bishopstoke, Hampshire
• 2nd - Autumnal Brushstroke by Isaac Fernández Galisteo, Segovia, Spain
• 3rd - Border RHS by Shaun Argent, RHS Harlow Carr, Harrogate

Celebrating Plants

• 1st - Misty Morning at Hever Castle by John Glover, Hever Castle and Gardens, Kent
• 2nd - Green is a Colour by Annie Green-Armytage, Chaucer Barn, Norfolk, UK
• 3rd - Tulip Festival at Arundel Castle by John Glover, Arundel Castle gardens in West Sussex

Social Media

• 1st - Lens Ball by Tracy Marsden, Private woodland in North Lincolnshire
• 2nd - Hydrangea by Ian Rochead, Private estate in the Hockering Estate, Woking
• 3rd - Green Veined White Butterfly About to Share Lavender with a Bee by Tom Malone, Coton Manor Gardens

Urban Gardening

• 1st - Urban Garden by Richard Caldwell, Laguna Woods in Orange County, California, USA
• 2nd - Urban Tree by E Novikova, Zenia Boulevard near Alicante, Spain
• 3rd - Little Life by Olga Komkova, Kutna Hora, Czech Republic

Welcoming Garden Wildlife

• 1st - Window of Autumn by Hasan Baglar, Nicosia, Cyprus
• 2nd - Babies It’s Your Lunch Time by Dibakar Roy, New Barrackpur, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
• 3rd - Look for Me Among the Grasses by Marek Mierzejewski, near Gdansk, Poland

Under 11’s

• 1st - Curious Cheeky Squirrel by Indigo Larmour, Mexico City, Mexico
• 2nd - Extreme Offroading by Theo Champion, Bryanston, Dorset
• 3rd - Pom Pom Flowers by Indigo Larmour, Goa, India

Under 18’s (11-17)

• 1st - The Long Wait by Jake Kneale, A Wiltshire Meadow
• 2nd - Decaying Beauty by Skye Parkinson, Richmond, Surrey
• 3rd - Feathery Sunset by Isabel Yang, New Jersey, USA