Arit Anderson

Awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution over a number of years to our profession. This award is in the gift of the GMG Committee.

Previous winners of the Lifetime Achievement Award are:

1993 Peter Seabrook; 1994 Fred Whitsey; 1995 Graham Stuart-Thomas; 1996 Rosemary Verey; 1997 Christopher Lloyd; 1998 Beth Chatto; 1999 Penelope Hobhouse; 2000 Geoff Amos; 2001 Jerry Harpur; 2002 Roy Lancaster; 2003 Joy Larkcom; 2004 Alan Titchmarsh; 2005 Dr David Hessayon; 2006 Geoffrey Smith; 2007 Ken Muir; 2008 Michael Warren
2009 Peter Beales; 2010 Andrew Lawson; 2011 John Brookes & Nigel Colborn; 2012 Jekka McVicar; 2013 Stefan Buczacki; 2014 Christopher Brickell; 2015 Adrian Bloom; 2016 Jim McColl; 2017 Richard Jackson; 2018 Gary Rogers; 2019 Carol Klein; 2020 Anna Pavord; 2021 Graham Rice; 2022 Michael Marriott; 2023 Barbara Segall; 2024 Matthew Biggs

Tom Brown
for
The Greenhouse Book

The judging panel were delighted with the high standard, diversity and range of books submitted to this category, but agreed that this winner would be a solid addition to any gardening library.  The winning book has uniqueness, style and is well researched with accurate information on a subject that many gardeners want to know more about and yet do not know where to start.

Marian Boswall
for
The Kindest Garden

The judges agreed that even within this very strong field, the winner stood out with its useful and sensitive approach to regenerative gardening. This book is well-laid out, logical, and manages to link garden design with science through the use of good photography and clear diagrams. It is both informative and moving: a work that merits a place on any gardener's bookshelf. 

The Garden

The judges found it challenging to select a shortlist - all entrants are excellent publications, some targeted at very specific audiences.   

 Although the scores were close, the winner stood out for the variety of articles and fresh appeal of every issue.  It clearly understands the variable level of expertise of its readers, from novice to true expert and its content covers everything from vegetables to choice ornamentals; plant problems, gardens to visit and more. Even those without a garden of their own would find this magazine inspiring.

James Armitage

With a distinctive and personable style, the winner is a leader in this very experienced and talented pool of writers. Not only is there rock-solid botanical information, but their turn of phrase and superb story telling entice the reader in from the very first sentence. Every detail, every phrase and every ounce of information are shared with warmth and passion, making reading this work a distinctive and incredibly enjoyable experience.

Lucy Chamberlain

The judges were really impressed with the amount and variety of entries for  the practical journalist of the year. Learning and education were important and some of the most impressive articles were ones that gave lots of how, why, tricks and tips for readers to make informed decisions. 

The star of the Practical Journalist of 2025 shone just a little brighter. The articles were clear, concise, no waffle and beautifully presented with supporting images. The reader could grasp the information with ease. It was informative and educational with a pinch of humour. You just wanted to get into the garden and start putting all that information into practice.

Charlotte Harris

This year's entries were a joy to read -all submissions, especially the finalists, offered fascinating insights, advice and opinions gathered from their own skills and experiences. However, the winner pipped them all to the post with a series of columns that shared their knowledge of design in an accessible way, inspiring readers and giving examples of what can work where, backed up by examples, sketches and images of real life successes. An exquisite series of articles.

James Alexander-Sinclair

With so many good entrants, the judges’ task was difficult but they felt that the winner of this category had researched their pieces especially well, giving us an insight into the historical facts with plenty of horticultural interest. This deep dive into the history has meant there are some obscure subjects written in a quirky manner and good humour.  The winner writes well for the readership of the platform.

Angela Youngman
for
The Water Efficient Gardener

This entry was both innovative and accessible, with beautiful illustrations, holding the gardener in mind, having a beautiful balance of climate extremes and ecological practice.

Annaïck Guitteny

With a range of images that display a thoughtful understanding of the subject, the winner of the Gordon Rae Photographer of the Year emerged from an extremely strong field. A gentle, soft light pervades many of these photographs, with a subtle use of colour, to create evocative images of plants and gardens in all seasons. You can imagine yourself standing in the garden, watching as the horticultural beauty reveals itself around you.

Marianne Majerus

All entries on the shortlist were of superb quality, composition and technique. The winner was a photographer who had flawless technical execution in all three features, who captured an incredible amount of wow-factor light, and who covered a great variety of garden aspects. In one example, the winner followed the story of the garden through the seasons, which speaks to her consistent skill - and also physical tenacity on a freezing winter morning - as a visual story-teller.

Marina Walker

The winner communicated the value of a garden in a historical and contemporary context, finding quiet and renewal within cityscape and ruin. The theme was well-chosen and explored with depth and sensitivity. A consistent approach provided energy and warmth, story and character in beautiful, considered, quite original ways. The texture of historic walls, the scale of surrounding offices, the stillness of a visitor and a modern pool provide contrast yet harmony.

Andrew Jackson

This year’s winner of the Alan Titchmarsh New Talent of the Year award impressed the judges with socially minded plans to bring real change and create opportunity. They turn complex horticultural issues into engaging, practical solutions, presenting well-researched information with clarity and purpose. Their imaginative, constructive approach is pursued with integrity and flair, and has the potential to improve living environments for thousands across the country, benefitting both gardeners and the wider horticultural industry.

Monty Don's British Gardens

The winner is a natural presenter with real authority, leading viewers through a wide-ranging exploration of remarkable and often little-seen British gardens. The ambition and scale of the series stand out, as does the winner’s easy rapport with garden owners, encouraging them to share why these spaces matter both creatively and historically. A very worthy winner.

Charles Dowding
No Dig Potato Harvest

The winner is passionate and inspiring, offering plenty of detailed practical advice, telling the viewers everything they need to know about every stage of the planting and growing of a particular vegetable,including storage, and then how to replant the area with a different vegetable, showing what is possible even in a small space.

Hortweek Podcast
The End of Peat
Episode 2

This winner showcases excellent journalism. The broadcast addressed a tricky horticultural issue and was in the true sense a professional, topical documentary. It was unafraid of airing a wide range of views, even those currently considered unfashionable. The panel felt the broadcast dug deep - challenging lazy assumptions, but also offering potential solutions.

Simon Akeroyd
@simonakeroydgardenwriter

There was an exceptionally high standard of entries in this category, making it difficult to narrow them down to a shortlist and, finally, a single winner - a creator who has built and nurtured a thriving community by showing up consistently on two platforms, sharing expert gardening knowledge in an accessible but accurate way. With a relaxed, simple filming style and a strong, still growing connection with the audience, this winner truly stands out.

Hayloft
@hayloftplants

This account captures simplicity and originality at the same time as offering accurate horticulture information. The judges were impressed with the imagination in the creation of posts. There is a fun factor, and you do forget that it is a business that is being showcased but find yourself Googling to buy their plants! We all found the account very engaging.