There are less than two weeks to apply for the Beautiful Borders competition at this year’s BBC Gardeners’ World Live.

The nine-metre-squared show gardens are on the theme of ‘Cultivating Connections’ to show what can be achieved in small spaces whilst encouraging a connection to nature.

“Gardens are wonderful spaces to bring human beings and nature together, so the Cultivating Connections theme should inspire some really strong entries,” says event director Lucy Tremlett.

They are open to industry professionals and students as well as garden clubs, community groups and charities.

Twenty-five bursaries worth £200 each are available to BBC Gardeners’ World Live applicants for plants and props, as well as support for the event’s horticultural team.

The medals available for entrants are Best Beautiful Border and Best Interpretation of the Theme, as well as Best Subscriber Border which will be presented to the best design by a BBC Gardeners’ World magazine subscriber. People’s Choice will be voted for by the visitors.

Last year’s Best Beautiful Border winner was Leanne Wood, who also scooped the Best Subscriber medal and a Platinum award for Following In My Footsteps, which combined a children’s play space with a relaxing haven.

Goldfinch Garden Design’s Jemma Wylie and Rona Glynn won the Best Interpretation of the Theme and a Platinum award for their Fee Fi Fo Forage border.

Applications for BBC Gardeners’ World Live 2025 Beautiful Borders competition close on 23 January. The event takes place from 12 to 15 June at the NEC in Birmingham.