Southport in Bloom has won the Royal Horticultural Society’s (RHS) Britain in Bloom UK Finals Competition 2025, securing a RHS Gold, winning the Coastal category and achieving the accolade of Overall Winner.
Having impressed Bloom judges at the regional round of the competition, 44 groups were selected to represent their regions in the Finals, competing in eight categories for a RHS award: gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze.
The Bloom judges were bowled over by Southport in Bloom’s passionate dedication to environmental improvement and community involvement as well as their outstanding horticultural accomplishments.
They praised Southport’s ‘absolutely stunning’ Rotten Row, a popular attraction to the seaside town and one of the UK’s longest continuous herbaceous borders. Stretching over 3,843 square metres, Rotten Row was saved from being grassed over in 2011 by a team of 30 volunteers, who have since enhanced it with 250,000 new plants – from heritage varieties of Rudbeckia to the striking pineapple flowers of Eucomis.
Southport Botanic Gardens made a lasting impression on the judges, particularly as they marked their 150th anniversary this year. Ongoing efforts to enhance and evolve the gardens were commended, with special mentions going to the lovingly tended Grade II listed fernery as well as more recent developments such as a Wellness and Dementia Garden and creation of a new garden at the Town Hall. Originally planted with plants left by local people commemorating the victims of the town’s 2024 tragedy, the site has since evolved into a pink and white themed garden reflecting the colour of the ribbons left in their memory. Now, in accordance with the wishes of the families affected, the gardens will be transformed into a welcoming and family-focused space for open-air performances.
Elsewhere the judges were delighted by Southport’s ‘orchid roundabout’, which has been carefully managed with restricted mowing and as a result is now a haven for native orchids and other wildflowers. Judges also commended the inspiring efforts to involve local children and young people in gardening, notably through the Schools Garden Competition.
Darren Share, Chair of the RHS Britain in Bloom judges, said: “We are delighted to announce Southport as Overall Winner of the Britain in Bloom UK Finals 2025. In a year when community was so important, Southport have admirably demonstrated the power of gardening together. Securing Gold across all three judging categories – horticulture, environment, and community – they have made an outstanding contribution to improving their local area, benefitting residents and visitors alike.”
Other notable category winners include:
- Aberdeen Communities Together, winner of the Small City & City category. Aberdeen displayed strong community spirit, from engaging residents to get involved in restoring the city following damage caused by Storms Eowin and Floris this year, to projects helping disadvantaged people regain control of their lives. The Winter Garden was highlighted for its design and planting scheme including an extensive display of pelargoniums.
- Filby in Bloom, winner of the Village & Large Village category, demonstrated a strong focus on biodiversity, with a new wildflower meadow already home to 100 species of moths and 11 species of bats.
- Community Champion winner Annette Whitney, Head Gardener for Rockdale Housing retirement flats, has implemented various ways for residents to get involved with horticulture, including a fruit and vegetable area where they are encouraged to grow and harvest their own produce.
- Young Champion winner Olivia James, aged 8, has been recognised for her enthusiasm and dedication to horticulture, having helped with the planting of a new wildflower meadow near Thornbury town centre. Judges were particularly impressed by Olivia’s skills in identifying various wildflowers.
Sarah Galvin, RHS Head of National Community Programmes, said: “We were highly impressed with the standard of entries this year, with all of the finalists having such a positive impact on their local communities. Each group showcased exceptional community spirit and a strong commitment to enhancing their local environment, demonstrating the core values of community, sustainability, and horticulture at the heart of the RHS Britain in Bloom competition.”
The winners were presented with their awards at the RHS Britain in Bloom Finals Competition 2025 awards ceremony, hosted today in Brighton by RHS judge James Alexander-Sinclair and garden designer, broadcaster, writer and RHS Ambassador, Arit Anderson.
For the full list of Britain in Bloom results, please visit: www.rhs.org.uk/get-involved/britain-in-bloom/bloom-awards-results
