Tulips in the rain wins RHS contest

Garden and greenhouse enthusiast Vickie Howard has been named Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Photographer of the Year 2010.

The winner was handed a cheque for £1,000 for her image of tulips in the rain, which RHS media licensing manager James Arnold said "really stood out".

He said: "The atmospheric lighting of the rain coming down onto these pink tulips had to make this the winner."

Ms Howard thanked her daughter for holding up the umbrella for shelter while she captured the image as the sun began to set.

Her image beat thousands of other entries to see her handed the prestigious garden photography title.

The judging planned included a number of horticultural experts, including The Garden magazine deputy editor Chris Young and famous photographer Allan Pollock-Morris.

It also named 11-year-old Sam Kaye, of Radlett, as RHS Young Photographer of the Year for his close-up of a hoverfly resting on a plant.

In other news, the RHS recently spoke to Pennard Plants expert Chris Smith about the type of heritage apple trees that grow in containers.