By Mikayla van Loon
A young Montrose gardener has been recognised for designing and creating her own oasis at home at the Victoria in Bloom awards.
Sharliya Bell, 17, took home the Best Young Gardener, under 25, award on Wednesday 16 April for her hanging garden concept, which featured colourful flowers, potted plants and a water fountain.
As the youngest of 11, Sharliya followed in her brother’s footsteps, Dekoda Bell, after he won the Victoria in Bloom Gardener of the Year in 2022-23.
Taking the blank canvas of the space, Sharliya said her main focus was to bring some brightness.
“I just thought it’d be nice to have a lot of flowers and somewhere to lay down in the sun with friends,” she said.
Completing the space over a couple of weeks, Sharliya said her brother Dekoda gave advice on how to plant certain flowers but she did it all herself.
Doing everything on a budget, Sharliya was able to find bargains, sourcing everything either on sale or second hand, highlighting how easy it can be to make something beautiful without it being expensive.
Since finalising her space in the garden, Sharliya and her friends use it as a sanctuary and they have all commented on her special spot in the backyard.
For Sharliya, she said her favourite part about the garden is that “it’s calm”.
Gardens at public and community homes across the state were celebrated in this year’s Victoria in Bloom gardening competition.
The finalists and winners gathered at a ceremony on 16 April for the annual competition, which recognises the great work of gardening enthusiasts living in public or community housing.
Renters entered gardens of all types, including those on balconies, and in backyards and community gardens.
Victoria in Bloom was first held in 2004 and continues to grow, with more than 130 entries received this year.
