Kenton Care Home Crowned ‘Bonus Bloom’ Winners Of HC-One’s Gardens In Bloom Competition

HC-One’s Kirkwood Court care home in Kenton, Newcastle Upon Tyne is celebrating having received an award in the national HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition.

The HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition is an annual event where HC-One care homes across the UK enter in the hope of winning in their respective regions. HC-One care homes had the golden opportunity of impressing guest judge, Rachel de Thame, who is a much-loved and celebrated green thumbed gardener, television presenter and writer.

Rachel thoroughly enjoyed reviewing HC-One care home’s garden project entries for the Gardens in Bloom competition and seeing residents and colleagues get creative in transforming their blossoming gardens.

Kirkwood Court were delighted when it was announced that they had won the regional award for HC-One’s Bonus Bloom garden which included the prize of a lovely gardening hamper. Kirkwood Court was delighted when it was announced that they had won the ‘bonus bloom’ award for HC-One’s Gardens in Bloom competition, judged by Rachel de Thame.

This year there were no set categories, which allowed homes to be creative with their garden, including creating a new fruit or vegetable patch, flower beds/boxes and wildflower gardens. Other ideas included creating dementia and sensory gardens or supporting local wildlife by creating bug hotels to attract and shelter insects.

The home worked tirelessly to create such a beautiful garden from potting plants, creating a green house full of tasty herbs and creating a memorial area with a yellow rose bush in memory of a colleague who sadly passed away in March.

Five regional winners were announced across England, Scotland and Wales receiving a hamper of garden related prizes for the homes to enjoy. A £300 voucher was also awarded to the overall winner from one of HC-One’s suppliers, Real Trade Supplies, who supply HC-One care homes with a range of gardening and landscaping equipment, to spend on items of their choosing.

Winners provided plenty of information, giving as much detail as possible to provide Rachel with a good understanding on their garden. They were selected after meeting the judging criteria, which included a demonstrated passion and effort towards community engagement and sustainable gardening practices.