Our Summer Competition Awards’ Event was held at the Bournemouth West Cliff Hotel, Durley Chine Road, Bournemouth, BH2 5JS on Wednesday 16th October at 7.00pm
Photos from our events are on the Gallery page
We hope that you enjoy them!
Welcome to our Gardening Competition for 2025!
We invite you to take part in our competition. You do not have to be an expert gardener, just love your garden. Your garden design is for your enjoyment and to inspire others! There are no rights or wrongs just your choice of planting and design.
Entering the competition is currently free of charge and the entry form is below or the form can be selected and printed. If you would like a printed copy, please email me on janekelly3951@gmail.com.
We hold our Awards’ Event in October every year at the Bournemouth Westcliff Hotel when everyone receives a certificate and all the winning gardens are shown on the screen. This event is very popular as can be seen in the photo of the winning gardeners!
We encourage you to become a member of Bournemouth in Bloom, the Bournemouth Horticultural Society. Members receive many benefits including discounts at several local businesses, A member’s Year Book and access to our Zoom meetings with guest speakers.
If you feel that you would like to assist with the judging of our competition please contact us. No qualifications are required as we will give you all the guidance you need!
See below for some hints and tips about what the judges are looking for in your garden!
Please print off the forms once downloaded, complete and return as requested or contact us for a hard copy.
Examples of past entries!
WHAT THE JUDGES LOOK FOR
Plants, well grown
Garden does not have to be all flowers, just foliage types are acceptable, or a mixture of both.
A good variety of plants
Judges will look for right plant, right place, e.g. Tall plants at back of border and shorter ones at front. Sun lover in the shade or a shade lover in full sun are faults.
Spent flowers should be deadheaded.
Excessive pests and diseases are a fault.
Artificial flowers are not acceptable.
Hedges should be neatly trimmed
Paths should be clean.
Lawns trimmed neatly and with well-manicured edges. Lawns in drought conditions eg brown, will not be severely down-pointed as under current regulations watering of lawns is not a necessity.
Weeds should be kept to a minimum
Environmental gardens
Should have a level of unkempt appearance.
Plenty of cover for wildlife
No evidence of pest or disease control, eg slug pellets
A wildlife pond is an advantage, constructed at ground level with easy access for wildlife.
Nest boxes sited are an advantage.
Plantings of shrubs and trees which produce a food source is very important eg berries in autumn and winter.
Mixed types of habitats will obtain the highest marks.
Sensory Gardens
Should have good and easy access. Planting in containers above ground level is an advantage.
Plantings should provide strong colour, scent and texture.
“Where flowers bloom so does hope”
Lady Bird Johnson