The elevators and stairwells of the Alberton Civic Centre were filled with words like “Strelitzia” and “Cycads” as finalists of the 2009 Ekurhuleni Garden Competition gathered to hear who is the fairest of them all at a prize giving ceremony held on Saturday.

Benoni came out tops , scooping four of the Best Garden awards in the seven categories and taking home the overall Best Garden in Ekurhuleni award won by Marthys Venter of Westdene. Sharon and Alan Munn were awarded the Best Small Garden prize, Poppie van Niekerk for the Best Medium Garden, Marthys Venter for the Best Large Garden and Kemiri Kwekery for the Best Business Garden.