Garden owner Jon Kelf celebrated a win for Norwich this weekend. Although Norwich born and bred his victory was not in relation to the performance of his football team, Norwich City. Jon has won the Daily Mail 2009 National Garden competition for “Best Garden in Britain.” Jungle Garden was voted for on-line by the public.

Jon opens his garden once a year since 2008, for the National Gardens Scheme in Norfolk who encouraged their garden owners to enter. Last year’s competition winner was NGS “Windy Ridge” garden in Shropshire. This year’s competition also featured NGS gardens in Hampshire and Lincolnshire in the final five, gardens renown for their quality, character and interest.

Jon Kelf said “It was really prestigious that the garden was accepted for the National Garden Scheme to open two years ago. I never anticipated that this would lead to to gaining a place in the finals and actually winning “The Best Garden in Britain” competition. Jungle Garden was one of the smallest gardens and the only one surrounding a new house. I hope it will encourage new visitors and more small and exotic gardens to open for the NGS in Norfolk”.

The Jungle Garden is a small town garden approximately twenty-six feet by sixty feet with five levels of decking surrounded by dense, lush exotic planting. It has over two hundred different and unusual types of plants including palms, bamboos, bananas, gingers, cannas and more. Jon opened for the National Gardens Scheme on the 16th August. Little did the visitors know they were visiting the potential winner!

NGS County organiser Anthea Foster said “The Norfolk NGS congratulate
Jungle Garden on winning the “Best Garden in Britain Award”. Appreciation must also be given to all the other Norfolk NGS gardens that entered. There have been other city gardens in previous years but Jungle Garden is unusual with its exotic planting, small dimensions and layers of decking compared to a more formal garden. The interest in garden visiting has increased over the years with the economic climate and climate change. With the inclusion of smaller gardens, allotments and town gardens, many visitors take away not just plants but gardening and design tips. The garden owners give so much time to opening, not just gardening but promoting their open days and providing visitors with a great day out while raising money for the worthwhile charities of the NGS. It is a great acclaim for Jon Kelf and the Jungle Garden but also for Norwich, Norfolk and the Norfolk National Gardens Scheme”.

Visit your local Tourist information Centre to pick up a Norfolk NGS Gardens leaflet or visit www.norfolkgardens.org

If your garden is of high quality, character and at least forty-five minutes interest Contact County Organiser Fiona Black to discuss opening your garden. Tel 01692 650247.