Applications for the BBC Gardeners’ World Live Beautiful Borders competition, a chance to share your garden design talent with tens of thousands of gardening enthusiasts, close on 23 January.

The Beautiful Borders are compact show gardens, bursting with creative design features and imaginative planting.

These colourful mini masterpieces are always a popular highlight at BBC Gardeners’ World events, providing visitors with endless inspiration and take-home ideas, particularly for small or challenging garden spaces.

Whether you’re a design or landscaping professional, a first-time designer or student, or a gardening club, community group or charity, BBC Gardeners’ World events’ friendly and experienced horticultural team support entrants every step of the way, from application to final build. 25 bursaries worth £200 each are available to BBC Gardeners’ World Live applicants for plants and props.  

Entries are assessed on site by esteemed professional assessors, with medals for all and awards presented for Best Beautiful Border, Best Interpretation of the Theme, and Best Subscriber Border for the best design by a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine subscriber. Event visitors have their say too, voting for their favourite Border in the Peoples’ Choice award.    

Lucy Tremlett, Event Director at Immediate Live, organisers of BBC Gardeners’ World events, said: “We – and our visitors - never cease to be impressed at the creativity that goes into the Beautiful Borders.

"The designs are not only technically brilliant with an eye-catching aesthetic, but really come from the heart, often reflecting a designer’s personal story, journey or experience.

"Gardens are wonderful spaces to bring human beings and nature together, so the Cultivating Connections theme should inspire some really strong entries. We can’t wait to see them!”

To enter a Beautiful Border for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2025, download the application form at bbcgardenersworldlive.com where you can also find full details, including bursary information. Applications close on 23 January 2025.

Tickets for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2025, which also allow access to the Good Food Show Summer, are on sale now at bbcgardenersworldlive.com.