Andy Vernon picks up the Garden Media Guild’s Reference Book of the Yearaward2014

The Garden Media Guild Awards were held at The Savoy, London today. The awards recognise the very best communicators and media professionals across the gardening and horticultural industries. Andy Vernon beat other top writers to scoop the Reference Book of the Year withThe Plant Lover's Guide to Dahlias.                                                                                               

As ever, the standard of entry in this category was very high and the judges faced a tough choice between many well produced and practical books.

The Garden Media Guild works to raise the quality of writing, photography and broadcasting in the gardening and horticultural world and works with professionals across all communication disciplines.

The Plant Lover's Guides to Dahlias is the first in a collection of full colour hardback books in which expert authors share their enthusiasm for - and knowledge of - popular garden plants. The series will grow into a handsome reference library that gardeners will treasure. Andy Vernon’s offering focuses on dahlias, the stars of the late summer border.

Andy Vernon is passionate about dahlias, incorporating them into every available planting opportunity in his garden. He has produced and directed popular television programs for the BBC including Gardeners' World and BBC Gardener of the Year. Trained as a horticulturist, Andy has worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and at Botanic Park in the Cayman Islands. He lives in Birmingham, where his horticultural media consulting firm is aptly named Planet Dahlia.

Speaking about the award, Andy Vernon said: “I’m genuinely gobsmacked to win the award. It’s the first book I’ve written and I never thought I would win an award. I really enjoyed the experience and this is the icing on the cake. 

Speaking about The Plant Lover's Guide to Dahlias, the judges commented: “The Plant Lover's Guide to Dahlias stood out for its easily readable text and stunning photography. The layout makes it easy to select varieties whether the reader is a novice or experienced gardener. It makes the genus appealing whether growing for ornament or the cutting garden. It showcases dahlias not only as individual subjects but also as star performers in the garden planting palette. Attractive cover design and the right retail price ensure successful marketing.”

The Garden Media Guild Awards 2014 are open to everyone who creates or publishes gardening material, not just Guild members. The awards provide an opportunity for new talent and established players to demonstrate their skill within the industry.

The 2014 Awards Lunch offered a unique chance to network among some of the best-known faces and most influential players in the gardening world.

Sponsors of the Garden Media Guild Awards 2014 include:

•              Briggs & Stratton

•              Hartley Botanic

•              HTA (Horticultural Trades Association)

•              redheadPR

•              Westland Horticulture

http://www.gardenmediaguildawards.com

Like the Garden Media Guild on Facebook /GardenMediaGuildAwards

Follow the Garden Media Guild on Twitter @gmgawards

The Plant Lover's Guide to Dahlias is available from Amazon.co.uk

For a full list of 2014 winners, click here http://prnewslink.net/nr/2763/gmgawards 

Ends

For more information contact:
Emma De Maio
redheadPR
Tel: 07921 160 134