Gardening in Bloom competition celebrates creativity, community and colour across ExtraCare
Published September 28, 2026 by Charlotte Millions
“The winning gardens weren’t all perfectly landscaped or manicured, they were winners because of the story behind them and the effort put in.”
ExtraCare’s Gardening in Bloom competition has celebrated the dedication and community spirit of residents, staff and volunteers across the charity’s retirement locations.
The competition saw nine ExtraCare locations’ gardens across England compete in over four categories. These included Best Communal Garden, Best Container Garden (& raised beds), Most Creative Garden Feature and a Special Mention category.
Best Communal Garden
The Best Communal Garden category recognised spaces that were enjoyable, welcoming and accessible for people of all abilities. These gardens were typically created with staff and residents working together.
Joint winners: Solihull Village and New Oscott Village
Solihull Village impressed Janet with its roof terrace and lower garden, which she described as considered, planned and beautifully executed. One garden included pollinator-friendly planting, seasonal colour, accessible seating areas, personal touches and a standout Herb Corner. Under difficult weather conditions the rooftop garden has been protected and supported by a dedicated group of residents. Janet also praised the sense of belonging created by residents and staff in their lower garden, with a special mention for Solihull resident Lorraine, who she said personified the spirit of inclusion and belonging and made sure everyone felt welcome.
Solihull Village commented on their lower garden: “Five weeks of hard work and we have created a lovely space where you can use all of your senses. You can see the beautiful colour of the flowers, smell the herbs, hear the windchimes and the water fountains, touch all the leaves and gravel, taste the herbs and most importantly sense the pride that the residents and staff have about our community garden.”
New Oscott Village was recognised for its accessible, one-level communal gardens, diverse planting, colourful roses and strong visual impact. Janet highlighted the care taken to maintain healthy plants despite extreme weather, as well as the residents’ individual gardens and creative container displays, including a bath transformed into a floral feature. Fred and Barbara were thanked for their outstanding contribution.
Second Place: Bournville Gardens Village and Sunley Court
Bournville Gardens Village impressed Janet for its strong resident involvement, artistic flair and welcoming, well-loved feel. Janet particularly enjoyed the Garden Story book, tiered centrepiece, trees, wildflower planting, bug hotel and handmade painted bugs, noting that the gardening group and staff had clearly put great care and energy into the displays.
Sunley Court was praised for its colourful, healthy and well-cared-for garden spaces, developed with sensitivity to the needs of residents and neighbouring hospice residents. With more than 12 themes, including Row Your Boat, the Kindness Rock Patch, The Owl and the Pussycat, Old MacDonald’s farm, a sensory garden and The Telephone of the Wind, the garden stood out for its creativity and thoughtful details.
Third Place: Lark Hill Village and Lovat Fields Village
Lark Hill Village was recognised for its colourful tiered pots, welcoming first impression and impressive communal garden, which provided a meeting place for residents and a corner for staff lunches. Janet was impressed with the Gardening Interest Group, made up of around 40 people, and thanked John, Anne Wheeldon and Mo for their warm welcome and helpful notes.
Lovat Fields Village received recognition for its attractive containers, water feature, hanging baskets, thoughtful planting and pollinator-friendly colour. Janet noted a clear sense of pride in the village, with even those who did not garden helping out, creating a strong team spirit.
Second place: Hughenden Gardens Village, New Oscott Village & Lark Hill Village
Tied second place went to Hughenden Gardens Village, New Oscott Village and Lark Hill Village. Residents Jan, Jill and Jenny impressed Janet at Hughenden Gardens with Jan’s daughter also helping to plant many displays.
Resident Jennifer’s lower garden at New Oscott Village proved impressive, despite the limited space of her small patio, Jennifer has transformed it into a vibrant and welcoming oasis. Bursting with colourful flowers complemented by a charming water feature, decorative chimes and carefully positioned seating, the area reflected both creativity and care. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered, showcasing her passion for gardening and creating a peaceful outdoor retreat that can be enjoyed throughout the year.
Another resident at New Oscott Village, Judith, transformed an area overlooking the main carpark with rich pinks, vibrant magentas and deep purples with delicate white with an impressive variety of petunias and other flowering plants spilling generously from pots and containers giving a delightful place to relax and soak up the summer sun.
Janet highlighted a Lark Hill balcony garden, created by John and Anne, with 45 feet of mature shrubs, home-grown plants, rescued supermarket plants, statues, bygone items and a small greenhouse.
Third Place: Lark Hill Village Terrace Garden
Bill and Barbara’s terrace at Lark Hill was also recognised for its bedding plants and split agapanthus.
Across the category, Janet praised the individual presentations, choice of plants and colour combinations, which created interest and memorable “wow” moments.
Most Creative Garden Feature
Joint Winners: Sunley Court and New Oscott Village
Sunley Court and New Oscott Village were named joint winners for Most Creative Garden Feature.
Sunley Court stood out for its themed garden and creative features, including the Kindness Rock Patch, where visitors from the neighbouring hospice could take a hand-painted rock with an inscription, and The Telephone of the Wind, a sheltered booth with a telephone where people could speak to loved ones who had passed away. Janet described the feature as thoughtful and emotional.
New Oscott Village was recognised for its bath in the garden: a claw-foot bath that had been repurposed into a joyful floral feature. Janet praised the work of residents Fred and Barbara, describing the display as a lovely and imaginative way to bring blooms into the garden.
Second Place: Hughenden Gardens Village and Solihull Village
Second place went to Hughenden Gardens Village and Solihull Village. Hughenden’s HGV floral letter display made a brilliant first impression and reflected inclusion and belonging, involving many people with varying abilities with Jen Grace and her team creating the craft flower. Solihull Village featured a boat in the garden which was also praised for the story behind how it was secured and incorporated into the display. The 12-foot boat purchased off Facebook marketplace brought residents and staff together as they worked to build a sail, paint a name on it and make it work in the garden as a planter.
Third Place: Longbridge Village and Bournville Gardens Village
Coming in third place, Longbridge Village residents Margaret and Chris created an accessible handmade cart flower display, and Bournville Gardens Village came joint third for their strong Gardening in Bloom display and story board.
Special Mentions
Pannel Croft Village received a special mention for its touching and creative remembrance nation flags, created in memory of those who had passed away, as well as allotment-style growing that included vegetables such as sweet potatoes and yams.
Longbridge Village was also recognised for its Garden on the Bridge and Garden Club, which Janet described as a great spot for all.
Collaboration and teamwork were evident across all locations, with community pride, inclusion and creativity seen and felt throughout the competition.
Janet added: “From the wonderful garden fragrances, birds and bees playing their part and the buzz of the communal areas. Thanks to all Lifestyle Managers, Garden Interest Groups, Committees, volunteers, residents, families, donors, fundraisers and children. I’m sure it’s been an emotional journey for many and hard work.
It certainly takes a village to do all they have done despite setbacks and challenges. Thank you to everyone who took part in the competition for welcoming me to their location and for making this competition such a special time. Whilst the judging is over, I do hope that the gardens will continue to invite the residents and staff to pause, smile, chat with a neighbour, or simply enjoy remembering the moments – hard work, but perhaps most important of all – fun!””
Charlotte Millions
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