New International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition opening soon

February 2012

The fifth International Garden Photographer of the Year exhibition will launch at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew on 3 March 2012.

The winning and finalist images from one of the most prestigious international photography competitions are revealed on 3 March in Kew's Nash Conservatory. The display showcases the best garden, nature and outdoor photography from around the world, illustrated through the new competition categories that were introduced last year.

These will include photographs of magnificent and magical flowers in ‘The Beauty of Plants’, secret and fascinating creatures in ‘Wildlife Havens’, breathtaking and delightful views in ‘Beautiful Gardens’, incredible and interesting urban life captured in ‘Greening the City’, as well as a celebration of enjoyable outdoor places in ‘Breathing Spaces’ (sponsored by the National Trust). The collection gives an insight to the wonders of plants, gardens, landscapes and nature, and our relationship with our green planet that will amaze and inspire.

The exhibition of spectacular photographs will be located indoors at Kew Gardens for the first time, in the beautiful Nash Conservatory. The Nash Conservatory is the oldest 19th century glasshouse within the gardens and provides a wonderfully unique and spacious setting for the International Garden Photographer of the Year display.

Over 90 stunning images will feature in the exhibition, which is open daily until 9 April 2012. Admission to the Nash Conservatory is free once entry to Kew Gardens is purchased.

Spring is a glorious time to visit Kew Gardens, offering something for everyone. Once you have enjoyed the stunning collection of images, why not explore the Gardens and be inspired by the beautiful flowering splendor that floods the open spaces in the spring months, or join one of the spring walks for a truly remarkable day out at Kew.

Notes to Editors

For further press information or inspirational high resolution images please contact Mary Denton. Email: press@igpoty.com or Telephone: +44 (0)1295 711668.

If you wish to feature the International Garden Photographer of the Year winners in your publication at the time of the winners announcement please contact Mary Denton for further details.
High-quality material on garden photography from leading photographers will be gratefully supplied in return for promotion of the IGPOTY competition. Please contact Mary Denton for further details.

Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction and its 132 hectares of landscaped gardens attract more than one million visitors per year. Kew is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more details please contact Jo Maxwell, Tarryn Barrowman, or Bronwyn Friedlander in RBG Kew press office, telephone 020 8332 5607 or e-mail pr@kew.org .

If you no longer wish to receive mailings about International Garden Photographer of the Year, please click here.

Opening hours: Opening times from March 2012 are yet to be confirmed, please check here for details.

Dates	GATES CLOSE (Last entry 1/2 hour before)	Glasshouses & Galleries	Climbers & Creepers	Treetop Walkway (Last entry 1/4 hour before)	Guided tours
Sun 30 Oct 2011 to Sat 4 Feb 2012	4:15pm	3:45pm	10:30 - 3:45pm	3:45pm	11am & 2pm
Sun 5 Feb to Sat 24 Mar 2012	5:30pm	5pm	10:30am - 5pm	5pm	11am & 2pm

*Last entry to the Gardens, the Glasshouses, Galleries and the Xstrata Treetop Walkway is 30 minutes before closing

Admission:

Adults £13.90, concessions £11.90, free for children under 17 (with an adult)
Visitor information: 020 8332 5655 or info@kew.org
Website: www.kew.org

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world famous scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding living collection of plants and world-class Herbarium as well as its scientific expertise in plant diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. Kew Gardens is a major international visitor attraction. Its landscaped 132 hectares and RBG Kew’s country estate, Wakehurst Place, attract nearly 2 million visitors every year. Kew was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2003 and celebrated its 250th anniversary in 2009. Wakehurst Place is home to Kew's Millennium Seed Bank, the largest wild plant seed bank in the world. RBG Kew and its partners have collected and conserved seed from 10 per cent of the world's wild flowering plant species (c.30, 000 species). The aim is to conserve 25% by 2020, and its enormous potential for future conservation can only be fulfilled with the support of the public and other funders.

Kew receives funding from the UK Government through Defra for approximately half of its income and is also reliant on support from other sources. Without the voluntary monies raised through membership, donations and grants, Kew would have to significantly scale back activities at a time when, as environmental challenges become ever more acute, its resources and expertise are needed in the world more than ever. Kew needs to raise significant funds both in the UK and overseas. Members of the public can support the work of the Millennium Seed Bank Partnership by getting involved with the ‘Adopt a Seed, Save a Species' campaign. For £25 an individual can adopt a seed or for £1000 anyone can save an entire species. www.kew.org/adoptaseed