Can You Create a Jekyll-inspired, Prize-winning Scarecrow?

Published on: 29 Apr, 2026
Updated on: 29 Apr, 2026

This border at Jekyll’s home in Munstead had huge influence on garden design throughout the UK and beyond. Martin Giles

By Martin Giles

If you can design a scarecrow that beats off the competition you could be in with a chance to win £100 in two free-to-enter competitions, one for adults and one for children.

To mark Guildford Museum’s exhibition, Gertrude Jekyll in Surrey, Guildford in Bloom are organising a scarecrow competition.

Having heard of the initiative The Guildford Dragon NEWS and Ben’s Records agreed to donate half the prize money.

Gertrude Jekyll (1843 – 1932) was most famous for her garden designs and writing but she was also an artist, craftswoman, photographer and collector.

Portrait of Jekyll by William Nicholson, painted October 1920; commissioned by Edwin Lutyens

She lived in Surrey for much of her life and adored its countryside and rural ways of life. She had a major impact on gardening in the UK and, here at GiB, we love her gardens.

Janette Owen of Guildford in Bloom said: “We are looking for scarecrows inspired by the famous gardener’s planting style or her signature colours of white, purple, blue and lemon.

“Entering is easy. Just build your scarecrow, take a photo of it and send the photo to competition@guildfordinbloom.com.

Jekyll’s signature colours of white, purple, blue and lemon. A special collage created by the Harlow Project and museum visitors.

“The judges will be looking for links to Gertrude Jekyll’s gardening style and there will be extra points for using upcycled materials.

Amanda Hargreaves, Heritage, Visitor, and Events Manager at Guildford Borough Council, said: “Inspired by the countryside of Surrey, Gertrude Jekyll created gardens that felt calm and welcoming. They were carefully planned to change and grow with the seasons and contained plenty of colour. We’re delighted to be part of GiB 2026, building on Jekyll’s gardening legacy.

“We can’t wait to see the entries to the GiB Scarecrow competition – just like Jekyll’s gardens we hope to see plenty of colour! Good luck to everyone who enters!”

Want some more inspiration? Why not visit the Gertrude Jekyll exhibition at Guildford Museum, which runs from Saturday 25 April to Saturday 24 October. https://www.guildford.gov.uk/article/21724/About-Guildford-Museum.