The Competition
The Purpose of the Scheme
- At Enfield in Bloom our ethos is to encourage residents and local businesses to make lasting improvements to our local environment through horticultural best practice, environmental sustainability and community involvement.
- The ‘In Bloom’ campaigns are now focused on environmental and sustainability issues encouraging communities to ‘green up and clean up their neighbourhoods’.
- Enfield in Bloom is one of few remaining London Borough societies and the only one supported exclusively by volunteers.
- At Enfield in Bloom we aim to develop both current and new gardening activities, to connect with local people who are keen to ‘make a difference’ and work in partnership with local businesses, friends of parks groups, schools and volunteers.
- We aim to spread our knowledge and horticultural expertise, to stimulate fresh thinking and to encourage the Borough’s residents to take up environmentally sustainable gardening.
- Our core aim is to beautify our borough in an environmentally and sustainably effective way though our gardens and green spaces. In so doing we will make a significant contribution to helping alleviate the impacts of climate change.
- Do support our work by joining our annual competition and maybe even becoming another Enfield in Bloom Awards winner.
Enfield in Bloom Competition Categories
- Best Large Front Garden
- Best Medium Front Garden
- Best Small Front Garden / Balcony
- Best Front Garden also used for Parking
- Best All Year Round Front Garden
- Best Residential Street
- Best Communal Gardens
- Best Display in a Public Area
- Best school Grounds with Environmental and Educational Aspect
- Best Flower Bed or Street Planter
- Best Environmental / Wildlife Garden / Meadow
- Exceptional Horticultural Contribution for the Local Community
- Innovative Growing Space or Allotment
All entries must be visible to the public except these two categories:
A competitor may not enter the same display in more than one category.
Judging Criteria
Main Judging Criteria – Enfield in Bloom Competition 2026
The Judges look for a number of criteria for each category.
Some categories have different criteria that relate more specifically to the category, see ‘Additional Criteria Section’.
Each set of criteria have maximum scores totalling overall – 100 .
The Key Aspects – In each category the judges are evaluating the following key aspects.
- Visual Impact & Colour Combinations – overall plant design; use of colour; use of hard materials; unusual design ideas.
- Quality of Cultivation and Maintenance – range and variety of plants; use of rare or unusual plants; interesting or unusual planting combinations; management of the plant material (such as regular dead heading & pruning).
- Design and Layout – landscaping & planting; use of porous materials for landscaping; quality & range of colour schemes; variety and form of plant material.
- Environmentally Friendly – organically maintained; habitats for insects & wildlife; planting for pollinators; non-use of pesticides and weedkillers; recycling; water collection; composting; areas set aside for wild flowers.
- Difficulty of Site – challenges posed by the site; soil conditions; access; location; Sun / shade; pollution.
Provision will be made for specific garden categories (such as front gardens) where full access or contact with the owner is not possible, allowing for partial evaluation where necessary.
Additional Criteria – for some categories these aspects are also being judged:
- All Year-Round Interest – mix of structural planting / seasonal planting; lants for winter interest; trees & shrubs with all year-round interest.
- Evidence of Use for Public Places – seating; access; safety.
- Cleanliness for Public Areas – maintenance; litter collection; watering.
- Planting to Increase Biodiversity – wildflower areas; planting for pollinators; mix of indigenous plants, shrubs & trees for wildlife & Insects.
- Educational Aspects, Schools – pupil involvement; biodiversity; planting for pollinators; wild life habitats; food & herb production; level of overall gardening education.
Winners Case Studies
We are now compiling winner case studies to show off your hard work on our website, if you are lucky enough to win an award we will ask you to send us your favourite garden photos and your garden story.