Birmingham comes in to bloom

Year on year, Birmingham in Bloom celebrates the best of gardening and of community spirit, recognising the efforts people go to in their gardens and neighbourhoods. Tenants and leaseholders share vegetables in communal gardens and bring colour to their streets. This year’s competition welcomes all entries, whether individuals or local communities.

Cabinet Member for homes and neighbourhoods, Cllr Sharon Thompson said, “Every year our tenants and leaseholders work hard to show us their examples of vibrant, innovative planting and garden displays. And this year’s no exception. We want to hear from everyone who’s made a difference in enhancing their local neighbourhoods, making it a cleaner, greener place to live.”

Amanda Broughton, 2017’s ‘best front garden’ winner said: “Our tenants’ participation officer first encouraged me to enter the Birmingham in Bloom competition in 2016. On my first attempt, I won bronze. I was elated and I couldn't wait for the 2017 competition. I loved doing the garden and I’ve encouraged all of my neighbours to enter. In 2017, I won City Gold for best front garden. Now, we all work together to make sure that all of our gardens are entered in to the annual event and it’s fantastic to see the sense of community it brings.”

Winners are chosen from each of the ten districts, as well as, overall citywide winners.

Competitors can enter via the Birmingham City Council website to one of the following categories:

• Best front garden
• Best back garden
• Best balcony/window box
• Best hanging baskets/pots
• Best communal garden
• Best vegetable patch/container or greenhouse
• Neighbourhood cleaner & greener environment
• Neighbourhood young person/group
• Neighbourhood helping hand award

Alternatively, you can collect an entry form from your Local Neighbourhood office.

The closing date for entries is 31 July 2018 with winners being announced in September 2018. The award ceremony will take place on 7 November 2018.