MONTHS of hard work pruning, watering and deadheading are over and Oxford’s top gardeners have been announced.

The winners of this year’s Oxford Mail backed Oxford in Bloom competition – celebrating its Silver Jubilee year – were presented with certificates and trophies to reward all that hard work in the garden.

There were familiar faces picking up trophies, at Roman Way Social Club last night, along with a few new winners who took home prizes following a shake-up of categories.

Television presenter Wesley Smith hosted the evening.

Judge Trisha Stevens said: “It was beautiful to go round all the gardens and everyone who entered should be congratulated because they have worked so hard.

“It’s been quite a difficult year because it was very dry then very wet, so the results they have achieved are remarkable.”

Chris Perks, 59, of Palmer Road, took home two of the top prizes for his postage stamp-sized front garden.

He was given the gold award for best kept small garden and most beautiful container.

Mr Perks had gone one better with his garden, for which he won the silver award last year.

But he retained his title for best container, having previously won the hanging basket and window box categories.

He said: “I love gardening and I always get a lot of enjoyment out of it.”

And producing the riot of colour in his front garden takes at least two hours every day, three at the weekends.

There were also celebrations in the Milner household in Cherwell Drive, Marston.

Richard and Sue Milner were entering for the third year.

They won the bronze award for their front garden last year as well as picking up a best new entrant prize in their first year.

But this time their garden was judged the best kept large garden in the city.

Mrs Milner’s parents Gerald and Win Hawkins who live next door also enter, and have previously beaten the younger generation in the competition.

Mrs Milner, 52, said: “Although it goes as two entries, we all join together to do little bits and pieces of it.

“Even if we didn’t enter the competition, we would still take a pride in our garden.”

There was no change in the community garden therapy category, with mental health charity Restore’s Beehive Garden in Manzil Way taking the top prize for the fourth year running.

Beehive recovery co-ordinator Charlotte Attlee said: “A lot of the people who are not likely to win anything as an individual get a real boost to get a prize as a group.

“Everyone makes a contribution and it carries us through a lot of the year.”

And Jayne Payne’s 48 hanging baskets at her home in Burchester Avenue, Headington, saw her receiving recognition.

Mrs Payne, who spends at least three hours in the garden most days despite having ankle and knee problems, was named top disabled entrant for the second year running.

She also took the silver award for best kept large garden.”

She said: “Because I am not able to get around so much, it is really nice to have something to focus on, especially something where you can see an end result.”

Katie Heeley, 10, from Cowley won the junior award.

She said: “I feel really excited about it.”

The St Francis School pupil, who was a winner for the second year running, added: “I like to see all sorts of different colours growing.”