The annual gardening competition offers participants the chance to brighten their neighbourhoods with creative floral displays and well-maintained green spaces
Lewisham’s much-loved gardening competition, Lewisham in Bloom, is set to return in 2025, inviting residents, businesses, and community groups to showcase their green-fingered talents. Sponsored by Glendale, the competition celebrates the importance of gardening in improving physical and mental well-being, enhancing biodiversity, and promoting sustainable environmental practices.
The annual event offers participants the chance to brighten their neighbourhoods with creative floral displays and well-maintained green spaces. This year, gardeners of all experience levels can compete in five categories: Best Wildlife Garden, Best Front Garden, Best Containers, Best Community Garden, and Best Business. Schools are also encouraged to take part in select categories, including Best Containers, Best Wildlife Garden, and Best Community Garden.
With sustainability at the heart of the competition, judges will be looking for entries that demonstrate smart planting choices, effective use of space, maintenance excellence, and a positive impact on biodiversity. Community engagement will also be a key consideration as the contest seeks to celebrate efforts that bring people together through gardening.
Category winners will receive National Garden Vouchers, while the overall Best in Show winner will be awarded the newly introduced Lewisham in Bloom Award. Additionally, the first ten applicants will receive a free RSPB bird nesting box, encouraging further support for local wildlife.
Applications for the competition will be open from Monday, 12 June, to Friday, 23 June 2025, with online submissions available. Judging will take place between Monday, 26 June, and Friday, 14 July, with a celebratory event in the autumn to honour the winners and their contributions to Lewisham’s green spaces.
Councillor Louise Krupski, Deputy Mayor and Cabinet Member for Environment, expressed her excitement for the competition’s return, saying: “I’m so thrilled to see the return of our fantastic Lewisham in Bloom competition! We have so many talented gardeners in Lewisham, and it will be exciting to see the entries for each category. Our residents are at the heart of what we do to make our borough a greener and healthier place for everybody. This is a wonderful way to encourage biodiversity and beautiful gardens and containers right across our community. Happy planting and good luck with your entries!”
Lewisham in Bloom continues to inspire the community to take pride in their local environment, fostering a greener, more vibrant borough for all. Residents eager to participate are encouraged to start planning their gardens and floral displays to be in with a chance of winning this year’s prestigious awards.
