Many budding photographers’ first subject will be flowers. We are innately drawn to their beauty, and thankfully, they are readily available and laid-back subjects. Photos from your morning stroll along your favourite country lane or dog walking spot could be your ticket to winning the cash prize in the Wildflower Photographer of the Year 2026 competition.

Open for its second edition until 30 September 2026, residents of the UK and Northern Ireland are eligible to enter this free competition, with up to 3 images per category competing for a £ 1,000 cash prize per category.

Focusing on heritage flora, only photos of wildflowers native to the UK and Ireland are accepted, with images taken between 1 October 2025 and 30 September 2026.

2025 WFPOTY Young People winner. M. Stanway Purple heather (Calluna vulgaris at Eden Project Cornwall

Not sure which flowers are accepted? Chamomile, poppies, or dandelions are among the 1,600 species you can choose from, with websites like The Wildlife Trusts, the Woodland Trust’s list of Woodland Wildflowers, and the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland providing loads of resources to help you find and identify them.

It is important to note that this competition celebrates these beautiful flowers in their habitats, whether rural or urban. There are a few things to consider when you’re heading out to capture your winning shot. Remember to follow the Countryside Code and obtain the landowner’s permission. However tempting it may be to gather a bouquet, do not pick wildflowers, apart from being potentially illegal for some species, they are best left in their original habitat for pollinators and other shutterbugs to enjoy.

An image taken at purple and orange sunset with purple flowers filling a field and a path leading up to a small house nestled between trees.
2025 WFPOTY Professional Highly Commended, Bluebell Dawn on Dartmoor by Edyta Rice. English bluebells (Hyacinthoides nonscripta) Emsworthy, Dartmoor

You can enter the competition via Zealous’ website in the Young People category (ages 13-17), which offers a £500 prize, or the Adult category (ages 18+), which offers a £1000 cash prize. The winning images and runner-ups will be exhibited at the stunning Eden Project in Cornwall. If you are curious which images made it to the previous 2025 exhibition, visit Canary Wharf this summer.

If you want to participate but are not sure where to start, we have a guide on Photographing Wildflowers, and useful Tips on how to shoot close-up flowers.

Dog rose by Justin Minns. Rosa canina shot in Sproughton, Suffolk
Dog rose by Justin Minns. Rosa canina shot in Sproughton, Suffolk
wildflower field with lots of red poppies
Cool light on the poppies by Damien Walmsley. Common poppy (Papaver rhoeas) at Kniver, Staffordshire
A path leading down to the seashore lined with purple flowers
2025 WFPOTY Amateur Highly Commended In the pinks by Emma Eccles, Sea thrift (Armeria maritima) Trebarwith Strand Cornwall

small purple flower with green leaves growing in the sand
2025 WFPOTY Young People Highly Commended Oasis by Alex Iftode Sea bindweed (Calystegia soldanella) Perran Sands Cornwall.

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