Budding photographers are being sought to take snaps of Birmingham’s blossoming fauna.
The Birmingham Botanical Gardens and Glasshouses annual photographic competition, held in conjunction with The Birmingham Post, is looking for people to come along and take the best snaps of the exotic plants and Victorian architecture on show at the Gardens.
Linda Keen, at the gardens, said: “The aim is really to get a lot of people who are interested in photography along. We have a very photogenic establishment, and we have been running this competition for many years now.”
The competition has three categories: plants and nature; views and architecture; and a juniors’ competition for kids aged 5-16.
The centre will nominate a winner in each category, then choose an overall winner to represent the best of Birmingham’s photographic talent.
All photographs have to be taken in or around the extensive grounds at the Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston.
Competition was stiff last year with more than 300 entries, and even more are expected this year, Ms Keen said. Entries have already started coming in.
The winner last year was Stephen Harper, of Moseley, with his picture “Blue Plumbago” of the rare blue tropical flower.
Ms Keen said the highlight of the Gardens for people looking for something attractive to take pictures of this year would be the rare Agave flower, that is set to bloom in the next few weeks, if the weather is right.
The Agave flower will only be on display for a short time, because as soon as the flower dies the plant dies with it. The tall purple flower grows out of the central cluster of spiky leaves, and opens just before the plant dies.
Other parts of the Gardens host displays with a historical theme, or exotic plants from all around the world, so there should be no shortage of picturesque views to make the perfect photo.
The Gardens themselves were opened in 1832, in a style that would later become typical of the Victorian period. The famous glass houses which are home to the tropical plants are the most recognisable part of the site.
Ms Keen said: “In the glass houses we have plants from all over the world, and outside we have all the different gardens.
“This year we have officially opened the ‘growing schools garden’ to teach schoolchildren how the natural world works. It shouldn’t be difficult to find something beautiful to photograph.”
All the photos entered into the competition are displayed on a board at the Gardens, then used in to promote the tourism spot in its literature.
Top prize is a digital camera, sponsored by Calumet Photography.
The winners of each category will receive a years’ family membership of the Gardens, and the runner up in each category will get a £10 voucher to spend at the Gardens’ shop.
For an entry form to take part in the competition, telephone 0121 454 1860 or pick one up from the reception at the Gardens on Westbourne Road, Edgbaston
