Royal Borough of Windsor  
& Maidenhead News Release

Royal Borough in bloom launches for 2025

24 April 2025

Green-fingered residents are being invited to show off their gardening skills as the search starts for the best Royal Borough gardens – as the annual Garden in Bloom competition launches today (24 April 2025).

The competition, which encourages residents to use their green spaces in new and creative ways, is open until 31 July 2025.

Royal Borough gardens visible from a footpath or road are eligible for entry, including front lawns and backyards, with residents and passers-by encouraged to nominate their favourite garden in their wards online through the Garden in bloom page. Previous years have seen more than 300 entries across the borough.

The winner and runner up for each ward will be announced later in the summer and will be awarded a rosette with winners additionally receiving a voucher. All participants will receive a certificate for taking part.

The Mayor of the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead, Cllr Bond said: “We encourage everyone to join in the Garden in Bloom competition this year. It’s a great chance to learn a new skill and really nurture our surroundings. Not only is this great for our health and wellbeing, but it also brightens up the neighbourhoods – leading to a happier environment for everyone.”

The Chair of Wild Maidenhead, Maria Evans said: “Any outdoor space can provide a safe haven for people and wildlife.  Front gardens, in particular, can give pleasure to passersby while also having wildlife friendly features such as water for small mammals, hedgerows for nesting birds and flowers for pollinating insects.  That’s why we’re delighted to partner with the Royal Borough’s Garden in Bloom competition – because wildlife enhances beautiful gardens.  We hope many people will be encouraged to make whatever outdoor space they have wildlife friendly this year.”

The Managing Director of Berkeley Oxford and Chiltern, Elkie Russell said: “We’re proud to support the Garden in Bloom competition, which celebrates the creativity and pride residents take in their homes and communities. At Berkeley Homes we believe that thriving green spaces are at the heart of great places to live, and it’s inspiring to see so many people across the Royal Borough bringing beauty and biodiversity right to their doorsteps.”

This year, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead is supporting the volunteer-led Wild groups‘ Wildlife Gardens Awards. The awards encourage gardeners to create outdoor spaces, of any size, that are wildlife friendly and support eco-friendly initiatives. Gardeners are encouraged to enter both the Gardens in Bloom and the Wildlife Gardens Awards scheme which both close on 31 July 2025.

The council is grateful to Berkeley Group for their sponsorship of the competition.

Full information on Garden in Bloom, including entry requirements, can be found on our website Garden in bloom.