VBG In Bloom
2024 In Bloom Photo Contest Winners
Ventura County photographers of all ages and skill levels shared their BEST three images taken in the Chilean, California Ramble, Mediterranean, and South African Gardens. It was remarkable to have our locals share the magic within the Gardens, and we are excited to announce the Judge's and People's Choice winners for the 2024 In Bloom Photo Contest. Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everyone who participated!
Judges Choice - Best Overall
![Lina_Li_S-African_Garden_3 Lina Li - South African Garden](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lina_Li_S-African_Garden_3.jpg)
Lina Li
Garden: South African
Judges Choice - Birds & Bees
![Matthew_Bear_S-African_Garden_1 Matthew_Bear_S-African_Garden_1](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew_Bear_S-African_Garden_1-1.jpg)
Matthew Bear
Garden: South African
![Kristine_Behrens_S-African_Garden_2 Kristine_Behrens_S-African_Garden_2](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kristine_Behrens_S-African_Garden_2.jpg)
Kristine Behrens
Garden: South African
![Lina_Li_S-African_Garden_2 Lina_Li_S-African_Garden_2](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lina_Li_S-African_Garden_2.jpg)
Lini Li
Garden: South African
![Samantha_Warren_Chilean_3 Samantha_Warren_Chilean_3](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Samantha_Warren_Chilean_3.jpg)
Samantha Warren
Garden: Chilean
Judges Choice - Botanical Closeup
![Michelle_DiGuilio_S-African_Gardens_1 Michelle_DiGuilio_S-African_Gardens_1](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Michelle_DiGuilio_S-African_Gardens_1.jpg)
Michelle DiGuilio
Garden: South African
![Lukas_Liebischer_Chilean_Garden_2 Lukas_Liebischer_Chilean_Garden_2](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lukas_Liebischer_Chilean_Garden_2.jpg)
Lukas Liebischer
Garden: Chilean
![Josh_Kaplan_Unknown_2 Josh_Kaplan_Unknown_2](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Josh_Kaplan_Unknown_2.jpg)
Josh Kaplan
Garden: Unknown
![Ekaterina_Taganova_S_African_Garden_3 Ekaterina_Taganova_S_African_Garden_3](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ekaterina_Taganova_S_African_Garden_3.jpg)
Ekaterina Taganova
Garden: South African
![Kyle_Svenningsen_S-African_Garden_3 Kyle_Svenningsen_S-African_Garden_3](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kyle_Svenningsen_S-African_Garden_3.jpg)
Kyle Svenningsen
Garden: South African
Judges Choice - In the Gardens
![Dan_Harding_Chilean_Garden_1 Dan_Harding_Chilean_Garden_1](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Dan_Harding_Chilean_Garden_1.jpg)
Dan Harding
Garden: Chilean
![Samantha_Mellinger-Hutchinson_S-African_Gardens_1 Samantha_Mellinger-Hutchinson_S-African_Gardens_1](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Samantha_Mellinger-Hutchinson_S-African_Gardens_1.jpg)
Samantha Mellinger-Hutchinson
Garden: South African
![Lee_Mooney_S-African_Garden_1 Lee_Mooney_S-African_Garden_1](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lee_Mooney_S-African_Garden_1.jpg)
Lee Mooney
Garden: South African
![Chris_Nova_S-African_Garden_3 Chris_Nova_S-African_Garden_3](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Chris_Nova_S-African_Garden_3.jpg)
Chris Nova
Garden: South African
![Lou_Matz_Chilean_Garden_2 Lou_Matz_Chilean_Garden_2](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lou_Matz_Chilean_Garden_2.jpg)
Lou Matz
Garden: Chilean
People Choice Winners
![Aleli_Evangelista_Unknown_1 Aleli Evangelista Unknown](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Aleli_Evangelista_Unknown_1-scaled.jpeg)
1st Place: Aleli Evangelista
Garden: Unknown
![Andrew_Waud_S-African_Garden_2 Hummingbird in Gardens](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Andrew_Waud_S-African_Garden_2.jpg)
2nd Place: Andrew Waud
Garden: South African
![Matthew_Bear_S-African_Garden_1 Bird in garden](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew_Bear_S-African_Garden_1-scaled.jpg)
3rd Place: Matthew Bear
Garden: South African
2023 In Bloom Photo Contest Winners
Judges Choice - Best Overall
![FIRST_DeniseDewire_1_UnknownGarden judges choice - first place 2023](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FIRST_DeniseDewire_1_UnknownGarden-1200x927.jpg)
1st Place: Denise Dewire
Garden: The Welcome Center Garden
![SECOND_DeniseDewire_2_RambleGarden A brightly colored bird with blue and tan feathers perches among green leaves and purple flowers, as if posing for a contest in bloom.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SECOND_DeniseDewire_2_RambleGarden-1200x800.jpg)
2nd Place: Denise Dewire
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
![THIRD_JacquelineCounter_2_CapeSouthAfricanGardenjpg A spider with yellow and black striped legs and a striped body sits at the center of its web against a blurred green background, resembling nature's own entry for the In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/THIRD_JacquelineCounter_2_CapeSouthAfricanGardenjpg-1200x800.jpg)
3rd Place: Jacqueline Counter
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
Judges Choice - Botanical Closeup
![FIRST_LinaLi_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden Close-up of a blooming Leucospermum (pincushion) flower with orange and yellow petals, surrounded by green leaves and unopened buds in a natural setting—nature's entry in the In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FIRST_LinaLi_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-1200x1200.jpg)
1st Place: Lina Li
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
![SECOND_AprilHolmes_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden Close-up of a vibrant pink and yellow flower with elongated petals surrounded by green leaves, showcasing its beauty in bloom for the contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SECOND_AprilHolmes_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-1016x1200.jpeg)
2nd Place: April Holmes
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
![THIRD_LeslieLeavens_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden Close-up of a green flower with pointed leaves and a yellow, densely packed central cluster of tiny flowers. Bright colors in the background suggest other blooming plants in the vicinity, perfect for an entry in the In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/THIRD_LeslieLeavens_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-1200x875.jpg)
3rd Place: Leslie Leavens
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
Judges Choice - Botanical Macro
![FIRST_ChuckAghoian_1_CARambleGarden Close-up of a vibrant protea flower, in bloom with yellow stamens and pink-red accents, showcasing its intricate and unique structure as if in a botanical contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FIRST_ChuckAghoian_1_CARambleGarden-1200x960.jpg)
1st Place: Chuck Aghoian
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
![SECOND_AlexDavis_2_SouthAfricanCapeGarden Close-up of a vibrant, spiky orange-red flower with numerous thin petals, set against a dark blurred background, capturing the essence of the In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SECOND_AlexDavis_2_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-1200x800.jpg)
2nd Place: Alex Davis
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
![THIRD_ChuckAghoian_2_CARambleGarden Close-up of a vibrant flower in bloom, with yellow and pink petals transitioning to a central dark brown and yellow core.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/THIRD_ChuckAghoian_2_CARambleGarden-1200x960.jpg)
3rd Place: Chuck Aghoian
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
Judges Choice - Critters
![FIRST_MatthewBear_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden A small hummingbird perches on vibrant orange flowers, surrounded by green foliage, with water droplets visible on the petals, capturing a perfect moment for the In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FIRST_MatthewBear_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-1200x900.jpg)
1st Place: Matthew Bear
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
![SECOND_TaraPinley_2_SouthAfricanCapeGarden A hummingbird hovers near a vibrant orange pincushion protea flower, surrounded by green foliage and new flower buds, as if showcasing its grace for an In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SECOND_TaraPinley_2_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-901x1200.jpg)
2nd Place: Tara Pinley
Garden: The South African Cape Garden
![THIRD_MichelleDiGuilio_3_ChileanGarden A small rodent sits on the spines of a cactus next to a blooming yellow cactus flower, perfectly posed for nature's contest in a sunlit setting.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/THIRD_MichelleDiGuilio_3_ChileanGarden-1200x1057.jpg)
3rd Place: Michelle DiGuilio
Garden: The Chilean Garden
Judges Choice - Garden Scenes
![FIRST_ElizabethRevenis_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden Close-up of a pink pincushion protea flower in bloom, surrounded by green foliage and other buds, with a cloudy sky and distant landscape in the background—nature's contest of colors.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FIRST_ElizabethRevenis_1_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-900x1200.jpeg)
1st Place: Elizabeth Revenis
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
![SECOND_GannonHutchinson_3_ChileanGarden A vibrant field of orange and purple flowers, poised for the In Bloom Contest, blankets a hillside overlooking a coastal town by the sea under a partly cloudy sky.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SECOND_GannonHutchinson_3_ChileanGarden-1200x900.jpeg)
2nd Place: Gannon Hutchinson
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
![THIRD_BenjaminMati_2_SouthAfricanCapeGarden A plant with red flowers is illuminated by the setting sun in a hilly landscape, with silhouettes of trees and distant mountains in the background, perfect for a Bloom Contest entry.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/THIRD_BenjaminMati_2_SouthAfricanCapeGarden-900x1200.jpeg)
3rd Place: Benjamin Mati
Garden: The South African Fynbos Garden
People Choice Winners
![FIRST_DeniseDewire_2_RambleGarden people's choice - 1st place](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/FIRST_DeniseDewire_2_RambleGarden-1200x800.jpg)
1st Place: Denise Dewire
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
![SECOND_ScottGeist_1_ChileanGarden people's choice - 2nd place](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/SECOND_ScottGeist_1_ChileanGarden-900x1200.jpg)
2nd Place: Scott Geist
Garden: The Chilean Garden
![THIRD_DeniseDewire_3_ChileanGarden people's choice - 3rd place](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/THIRD_DeniseDewire_3_ChileanGarden-1200x800.jpg)
3rd Place: Denise Dewire
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
2022 In Bloom Photo Contest Winners
Judges Choice - Botanical Detail
![SylviaGabrie_1 1st Place Botanical Detail](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SylviaGabrie_1-1200x1089.jpg)
1st Place: Sylvia Gabrie
Garden: The Chilean Garden
![JohannaWashington_2nd-web Close-up of a wilting yellow flower with curled petals and fuzzy green sepals, captured for the In Bloom Contest. The petals have begun to dry and twist.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/JohannaWashington_2nd-web.jpg)
2nd Place: Johanna Washington
Garden: The Cape of South Africa Garden
![JacquelineCounter_3rd-web A single orange-yellow poppy flower with a green stem stands against a blurred background of green and yellow hues, a perfect entry for the In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/JacquelineCounter_3rd-web.jpg)
3rd Place: Jacqueline Counter
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
Judges Choice - Texture & Color
![SarahDillion_1st-web Close-up of a vibrant Protea pincushion flower with a circular arrangement of long, slender, orange-red petals radiating from the center. Green foliage is visible in the background, making it a standout entry in our annual In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SarahDillion_1st-web-1.jpg)
1st Place: Sarah Dillion
Garden: The Cape of South Africa Garden
![BeckyClearwater_2nd-web Orange and yellow pin-cushion protea flowers are in bloom among green leaves and wood chips in a garden, ready for any Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/BeckyClearwater_2nd-web.jpg)
2nd Place: Becky Clearwater
Garden: The Cape of South Africa Garden
![Sean Doll_3rd-web Close-up of a green cactus with sharp white spines and a central bud in bloom, as if vying in a natural beauty contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Sean-Doll_3rd-web.jpg)
3rd Place: Sean Doll
Garden: The Chilean Garden
Judges Choice - Views and Scenes
![KellyNakamaru_1st-web A vibrant hillside garden in bloom, featuring a mix of red, purple, white, and yellow flowers under a clear blue sky with trees in the background—a perfect scene for a Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/KellyNakamaru_1st-web.jpg)
1st Place: Kelly Nakamaru
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
![NickyDiaz_2nd-web A dirt path winds through a garden with colorful flowers and greenery in full display for the In Bloom Competition, leading towards a distant view of the ocean under a clear blue sky.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NickyDiaz_2nd-web.jpg)
2nd Place: Nicky Diaz
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
![DamianMerritt_3rd-web A natural rock formation with a circular hole frames a view of the coastal cityscape and the ocean under a blue sky, capturing the serene beauty as if nature itself were entering an In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DamianMerritt_3rd-web.jpg)
3rd Place: Damian Merritt
Garden: Unkown/Other
Judges Choice - Seen in the Gardens
![SarahDillion_1st-web-crop A close-up of a bee perched on a purple flower, collecting nectar in bloom. The background shows blurred foliage and additional flowers, creating a harmonious contest of colors.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SarahDillion_1st-web-crop.jpg)
Sarah Dillion
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
People Choice Winners
![AdelaLisanti_2nd-web A path on a hillside is surrounded by vibrant yellow and orange flowers, with trees lining the road and a view of the sea in the background under a clear blue sky, as if part of an In Bloom Contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AdelaLisanti_2nd-web.jpg)
1st Place: Adela Lisanti
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
![AdelaLisanti_1st-web Statues of a sitting and lying fox are placed on a small stone platform in a natural landscape with yellow flowers in the foreground, which seem to be remarkably vibrant for the In Bloom Contest. Grassy hills extend under a clear blue sky in the background.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AdelaLisanti_1st-web.jpg)
2nd Place: Adela Lisanti
Garden: The Chilean Garden
![SarahDillion_3rd-web Close-up of a bee collecting nectar from a purple flower in bloom in a garden. The background is out of focus with green and purple hues, making the scene look like nature's own contest.](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/SarahDillion_3rd-web.jpg)
3rd Place: Sarah Dillion
Garden: The California Ramble Garden
2021 In Bloom Photo Contest Winners
Judges Choice - Botanical Detail
![Botanical Detail, 1st Place - Judy Layman](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Botanical-Detail-1-Judy-Layman-scaled.jpg)
1st Place: Judy Layman
Garden: South African Fynbos
![Botanical Detail, 2nd Place - Laura Dunbar](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Botanical-Detail-2-Laura-Dunbar.jpg)
2nd Place: Laura Dunbar
Garden: Chilean Garden
![Botanical Detail, 3rd Place - Jacqueline Counter](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Botanical-Detail-3-Jacqueline-Counter.jpg)
3rd Place: Jacqueline Counter
Garden: South African Fynbos
Judges Choice - Texture and Color
![Texture & Color, 1st Place - Ashley Brown](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Texture-Color-1-Ashley-Brown-scaled.jpg)
1st Place: Ashley Brown
Garden: Chilean Garden
![Texture & Color, 2nd Place - Mayra Plascencia](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Texture-Color-2-Mayra-Plascencia.jpeg)
2nd Place: Mayra Plascencia
Garden: South African Fynbos
![Texture & Color, 3rd Place - Erlich Rosenberger](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Texture-Color-3Erlich-Rosenberger--scaled.jpg)
3rd Place: Erlich Rosenberger
Garden: Chilean Garden
Judges Choice - Seen in Garden
![Seen In Garden, 1st Place - Nicole Horn](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Seen-In-Garden-1-Nicole-Horn-.jpg)
1st Place: Nicole Horn
Garden: California Ramble
![Seen In Garden, 2nd Place - Benjamin Mati](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Seen-In-Garden-2-Benjamin-Mati-scaled.jpeg)
2nd Place: Benjamin Mati
Garden: South African Karoo
Judges Choice - Views and Scenes
![Views & Scenes, 1st Place - Benjamin Mati](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ViewsScenes-1BenjaminMatiImage.jpg)
BEST OF SEASON PHOTO WINNER
1st Place: Benjamin Mati
Garden: South African Fynbos
![Views and Scenes, 2nd Place - Judy Layman](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/ViewsScenes-2JudyLaymanImage.jpg)
2nd Place: Judy Layman
Garden: South African Fynbos
People’s Choice Winners
![People's Choice, 1st Place - Matt Thompson, In Bloom Contest](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Peoples-1-Matt-Thompson-Image2_46.jpg)
1st Place: Matt Thompson
Garden: South African Fynbos
![People's Choice, 2nd Place - Susie Jensen, In Bloom Contest](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Peoples2SusieJensenImage2_59.jpg)
2nd Place: Susie Jensen
Garden: South African Fynbos
![People's Choice, 3rd Place - Christine Le, In Bloom Contest](https://venturabotanicalgardens.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Peoples3ChristineLeImage2_53.jpg)
3rd Place: Christine Le
Garden: Chilean Garden
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