This image has won first prize in the ‘Beauty of Plants’ category of the International Garden Photographer of the Year competition.
It was taken in New Mexico, USA, in the White Sands National Park, where the dunes really are white. They’re silica, cool underfoot even in 90 degree heat and 90mph hot winds.
The yucca plant has to grow tall and strong really quickly to resist and outpace the fast-shifting dunes in that white wilderness. I spotted this one at sunset, seed pods empty - job done.