On Monday 30 May, two local gardeners will do a test-run of their literature-inspired garden borders at Castle Gardens, before they enter them into the Beautiful Border Competition at BBC Gardeners’ World Live in June. With plants, materials and advice supplied by us, Elle Wilson and Julie Haylock have designed two beautiful border displays for the competition.

Elle has taken inspiration from Rudyard Kipling, with her plot representing the contrast of vivid colour and smells of India set against his personal traumas, while Julie depicts the famous Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree scene from A.A. Milne’s classic children’s books. Both Elle and Julie have done a fantastic job with their designs and we can’t wait to see them come to life for the first time on Bank Holiday Monday, before the real thing is unveiled in June.

We all wish them the very best of luck.

Mike