A bonsai tree supplier and a show garden with an outdoor sauna won the top prizes on the opening day of the Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

The four-day event, which got underway today (April 23) at the Great Yorkshire Events Centre, is the first major event in the national gardening calendar.

Up to 50,000 visitors are expected over the next four days. Today and Saturday are likely to be the busiest days.

For visitors, the event provides inspiration and the chance to buy items for the year ahead.

For exhibitors, there are separate best in show awards for show gardens and nurseries.

Ilkley garden and landscape designer Melissa Morton won the show garden award for a display called the Breathing Space that demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform a small outdoor plot into a calm retreat.

Ms Morton described her garden as “Nordic design rooted in Yorkshire” because it was inspired by Scandinavian principles and crafted by Yorkshire makers.

She added saunas were becoming increasingly popular garden features because they enable outdoor space to be used all year round. The model on display costs about £30,000.

Richard Reah, of York-based North of England Bonsai, said he was “shocked and overwhelmed” at winning best in show in the traditional nurseries category for his bonsai display. “I visit every year and it’s the first time I’ve won,” he added.

The judges said the award reflected an upturn in interest in growing bonsai, which are miniature trees.

Show director Nick Smith said: “It’s lovely to see so many people coming together so early in the horticultural season. We have some wonderful show gardens and displays which demonstrate what can be achieved in a small space.”

Celebrating differences

Horticap, a Harrogate charity that uses horticulture to support adults with learning disabilities, displayed a Winnie the Pooh-themed show garden.

Erica Ward, an instructor at Horticap, said about 50 students had worked on the garden over the last year.

She added many of the themes of Winnie the Pooh, such as celebrating differences and friendship, chimed with Horticap’s values.

Students wrote their names and messages on pebbles that are included in the garden, which was made solely of recycling materials.

The bridge used to be a hammock owned by Horticap operations manager Phil Airey and even the turf was reused from last year’s Harrogate Autumn Flower Show.

The North of England Horticultural Society, which was established in 1911, organises the Harrogate spring and autumn flower shows, which bookend the gardening season.

Here are some more photos from today's opening day.