AN Inverkeithing gardener is feeling bloomin' marvellous after being winning Best Novice in the Royal Caledonian Horticultural Society – on just her second attempt!

Vohn McGuinness only entered the RCHS' Spring Show “because they needed more entries”, never thinking that she would actually win anything.

She was “over the moon” to scoop first place in all six classes she entered, winning five gongs for her daffodils and one for a pot of hyacinths, as well as the George Peel Cup for best entry by a novice.

It was only the second year Vohn had competed in an RCHS show – in 2015, she had entries in five classes and won a second and third place, as well as a ribbon in the Ringhaddy Challenge for the best Irish-bred daffodil by a novice.

Vohn, 42, of Cochrane Avenue, beamed: “I joined the RCHS in 2008 and became more involved after becoming membership secretary three years ago.

“Entering a show wasn't something that had ever crossed my mind to do. I only did it because they needed more entries.

“I remember the first RCHS lecture I went to and I was thinking, 'Why would anyone grow giant veg', and there I was two years later, showing flowers!

“Winning in 2015 really encouraged me to keep going. I never thought I would win anything – I expected to be a novice forevermore!”

However, her chances nearly wilted the week before the show due to a leaky gutter.

Vohn laughed: “There was a torrential downpour and I had put my hyacinth under the gutter to get the perfect light.

“There was a leak and all the muck splashed up, and I thought that was it. I was brushing muck off with a toothbrush!”

Former data analyst Vohn has a degree in geology, and her love of plants grew from her time working as a garden ranger at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.

She now plans to enter her alpine plants in next year's show, competing in the open category.

She joked: “I never expected to leave the novice category. Unfortunately, next year, I have to move up to the open classes with the big boys!

“I have quite a few alpines already. I just love Scottish native plants.”

For information about the RCHS, log on to www.rchs.org.uk.