Gardens Illustrated photographers win top awards

Four of Gardens Illustrated's regular photographers have been recognised in the third International Garden Photographer of the Year awards.

Marianne Majerus was handed both the overall award International Garden Photographer of the Year and first place in the 'Garden Views' category, for Layered Landscape: A Moment Captured, her stunning image of early morning sunlight streaming through trees in a private garden in Luxembourg.

Claire Takacs was awarded second place in the 'Garden Views' category for her image The Snake, from the private garden of landscape designer James van Sweden in Maryland, USA. You can see the full feature on this garden in the June issue (162) of Gardens Illustrated, on sale 27 May (UK).

Rachel Warne won the 'Portfolios' category for The Present Past - A Forgotten Place – her atmospheric pictures of the abandoned kitchen garden glasshouses at Pentillie Castle in Cornwall.

And finally, Andrea Jones received third place in the 'Portfolios' category for her American Gardens set, including this Californian garden designed by Topher Delaney/SEAM Studios, taken from her recent book with Tim Richardson, Great Gardens of America (Frances Lincoln, 2009). 

Images by Marianne Majerus, Claire Takacs, Rachel Warne and Andrea Jones. To view all of the winners and for more information about International Garden Photographer of the Year go to www.igpoty.com