We’re delighted to announce the winners and runners-up in Healthcare Homes in Bloom 2023 which ran throughout the Spring and Summer across our homes and branches.
It’s been a bumper year for involvement from our residents and service users as well as from their friends, families and the green-fingered members of staff we have.
We had more than 75 entries from 34 different homes and homecare branches – congratulations and thanks to everyone who took part, helping to spread joy and colour throughout Healthcare Homes.
Non-executive Director Graham Lomer and his wife Karen agreed to take on the difficult task of judging again this year. Graham said, “Firstly may we thank everyone for their submissions, the quality of the entries was very good and it is particularly heart-warming to see how much pleasure the gardens or flower arranging bring to residents, relatives and to our colleagues.
“We would like to highlight the entries for the community or family involvement category where we thought that the competition was particularly fierce. We have therefore decided to make an exception in choosing joint winners in this category. We have also highlighted two homes for a Judges’ Special Commendation Award.
“So, thank you again for all of your entries. I’m sure that all of your efforts are much appreciated by all who have the pleasure of seeing what you’ve managed to create.
We look forward to seeing next year’s entries and hope that you continue to enjoy the gardens and flower arranging in the future.”
Judges’ special commendation awards
Meadow House
Meadow House in Norfolk pulled out all the stops with major support from relatives and the community in a significant garden makeover which is being recognised with a Judges Special Commendation Award.
A lot of work has been put into the garden this year – it was 4 areas of big piles of mud and lots of trees. Local business offered to help clear it with help from families and staff families it is now a lovely space for everyone to enjoy. There is also a monkey wall that has been put in place to cover the sheds and residents and families love it too.
Oaktree
Oaktree in Bristol entered all five categories this year and were winners for their pots and containers as well as runner-up in the cut flowers category. The judges were especially impressed with “Royal Tea by the Sea” entry. This was an exceptionally original idea, a lot of fun and deserves recognition with a Judges’ Special Commendation Award.
Overall display or garden
Winner: The Chase – pictured above
There have been lots of changes this year to the courtyard garden at The Chase. You can see the before and after in the pictures.
Runner-up: Haughgate House – pictured above
Shortlisted finalists
Blandford Grange
Sovereign Lodge
Romford Grange
Meadow House
Hanging Basket, pot or container
Winner: Oaktree – pictured above
‘Royal Tea by the Sea’ – A cheerful display, using upcycled tyres and found items, in honour of the King’s Coronation, was planted them with seasonal bedding and perennial shrubs.
The planters consist of old tyres, with a vacuum hose and pipe for handles and spout. The ‘sugar bowl’ was also a tyre, sprayed gold, with mattress foam, cut into ‘sugar cubes’.
Runner-up: The Manor House – pictured above
Shortlisted finalists
St Leonard’s Court
Haughgate House
Cut Flowers
Winner: Oaklands House – pictured below
Flower arranging is a regular activity at Oaklands House in Southwold. For the competition entry the residents made a lovely display for one of the fireplaces in the home.
Runner-up: Oaktree – pictured below
Shortlisted finalists
Ashley Gardens
Manorcourt Norwich – Larry’s Club
Joint Winner: Meadow House – pictured below
A lot of work has been put into the garden this year – it was 4 areas of big piles of mud and lots of trees. Local business offered to help clear it with help from families and staff families it is now a lovely space for everyone to enjoy. There is also a monkey wall that has been put in place to cover the sheds and residents and families love it too.
Joint Winner: Foxgrove and Maynell House – pictured below
The sister homes took part in the Felixstowe open gardens scheme which raised money for charity and involved bringing the local community into the gardens. They were lucky with the weather and all the residents also enjoyed the open gardens event.
Shortlisted finalists
Avon Lodge
Foxearth Lodge
Vegetable patch or allotment
Winner: The Manor House – pictured below
A gift of lots of space and a very keen gardener at The Manor House has created an allotment and polytunnels this year. Lots of the salad and veg have ended up on the dinner table at The Manor House.
Runner-up: The Chase – pictured below
Shortlisted finalists
Blandford Grange
Park House
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