Wight in Bloom

Wight in Bloom is the Isle of Wight’s largest competition of its kind and the winners of the 2025 Wight in Bloom have been revealed.

Organised by Visit Isle of Wight, Wight in Bloom is the island-wide competition to discover the green-fingered talents of residents and businesses who go above and beyond to help our island cement its reputation as ‘the Garden Isle’ and looking colourful for you when you visit our island.

 

Best small tourist attraction garden

• Winner - Farringford Gardens, Freshwater

Judges' comments - "This garden gets better year on year, it is a riot of colour with a wide variety of hardy, tender, perennial and annual plants. Gorgeous plant combinations very neat no weeds and crisp lawn edges a beautiful sense of flow and freedom to the planting."

• Runner-up – Model Village Godshill, Godshill

Judges' comments - "The layout is imaginative and fun, the attention to detail excellent and plant management astonishing not a weed insight."

Best large tourist attraction garden

• Winner - The Princess Beatrice Garden at Carisbrooke Castle, Carisbrooke (outskirts of Newport)

Judges' comments - "What a delight - beautiful plants, flowers shrubs and trees. Diverse planting such as a variety of heritage flowers and plants. The design and layout is just a picture to look at. It's maintained to high standards and a beautiful space to sit and enjoy for all ages."

• Runner-up - Robin Hill Adventure Park, Newport

Judges' comments - "A diverse range of varieties with many new ferns and grasses. There are even banana plants. The Tetra Panax is stunning. The bee hives are a nice touch, all areas look so interesting."

Best commercial garden

• Winner - One Holyrood Hotel & Cafe, Newport

Judges' comments - "Good use of plants, variety and in the right places. Different levels, garden features, wisteria well placed, planting of winter flowing plants and fruit trees. For a small space very well planted."

• Runner-up – The Clifton, Shanklin

Judges' comments - "A very pleasant garden with lots of variety of plants. Well laid out, good use of creative design. Planted well for a cliff top location."

Best climate resilient garden

• Winner - Rosalind Smith, Fishbourne

Judges' comments - "It is refreshing to see a garden not over manicured and lots of hard landscaping. This two acre site was magical, embracing everything that was natural. It was a reminder of proper English woodland garden. This much loved family garden reflects many years of nurturing the natural environment to create a garden very much for the climate now and in the future."

• Runner-up - Rylstone Tea Gardens and Crazy Golf, Shanklin

Judges' comments - "A well thought out area designed to attract pollinators, especially bees. Plants were varied in texture, height and type. Very healthy plants due to own fertiliser and peat free compost with added magnesium and seaweed. Good information signage to inform the public how the garden is sustainable for our climate, excellent horticultural practise alive with insects, a welcoming area for visitors."

• Highly Commended - Celia Williams, Bembridge

Judges' comments - "An innovative range of plants and varied areas of interest such as a succulent's area, a rainforest type area, bee friendly planting and water features. Climate resilient planting which have thrived in this sheltered canopy. Thoughtful and intelligent planting."

Pride of place floral project

• Winner - Havenstreet Community Association

Judges' comments - "This old school courtyard has been transformed into a beautiful outdoor space. The site has got lots of separate areas with so much going on - fruit trees line the walls with feeding and nesting stations for bird life, a kitchen garden, a greenhouse for growing fruit and veg and a Zen garden to sit and unwind. The whole site was full of railway memorabilia that was really interesting. The community should be very proud of what they have achieved here."

• Runner-up – St James' Square, Newport

Judges' comments - "This project really does scream out great community initiative, the square had several years of neglect and was in need of a revamp, which is exactly what it's had this year. With help from the Isle of Wight college horticultural department the whole square has a much more tidy appearance. While I was judging I witnessed several visits from bees, hoverflies and butterflies. This is a brilliant project that has benefitted such a variety of different organisations, well done."

• Highly Commended - Bembridge Parish Council, War Memorial Garden

Judges' comments - "Clearly lots of effort, time and skill spent on this memorial garden. Borders are well stocked and the composting, water butts, tool storage are great and sustainable. A lovely looking and well maintained public green space - thank you to all involved for giving back to the local and visiting community."

Best small front garden

• Winner - Susan Martin, Newport

Judges' comments - "This garden was a joy to see, bright healthy plants with a good colour and all in top condition. Some lovely railway touches and the mixed climbers had much wildlife. A fantastic job of a small garden in central Newport." 

• Runner-up – Keith Baldock, Nettlestone

Judges' comments - "A little oasis and I was struck by the lilies and the roses all looking fantastic. The railway theme was well embraced and this epitomises what a small front garden should be."

Best large front garden

• Winner - Paul & Jane Cross, Shanklin

Judges' comments - "A stunning and well thought out, very colourful garden with a wonderful range of plants all of which were of very high quality and were displayed in the most imaginative way. We loved the effort that has gone into the railway 200. It was excellent and it made us smile - in fact the whole garden made us smile a well deserved first place."

• Runner-up – Colin & Hilary Bailey, Newchurch

Judges' comments - "We loved this garden, we loved the different levels and imaginative use of old machinery, ropes on the lamp post and the gypsy caravan. There was a good range of insect loving plants and vegetables and a nice nod to the railway 200. it was a very wildlife friendly garden - excellent on all counts."

Best young people initiative

• Winner - St George's School, Newport

Judges' comments - "Turning a slab of tarmac to a usable thriving evergreen space is a remarkable transformation. Fantastic presentation and the use of railway sleepers, train tracks, colours, hanging baskets is all celebrating railway 200. It's well planted and shows a good mix of suitable plants, shrubs and perennials. The new climbing plants offer a beautiful fragrance and the plants look healthy. A brilliant job."

• Runner-up – Broadlea Primary School, Sandown

Judges' comments - "Fun and brightly planted wooden trains and carriages - modern and old showcase 200 years of train travel. Bugingham Palace offers wildlife habitats in an otherwise sterile environment. Overall a commendable project from the young students. Congratulations on uplifting what is a difficult road side area with bright flowers, fun train inspired planters and a reason to stop look and listen - well done."

Best edible garden

• Winner - Nicola Fradgley, Niton

Judges' comments - "The design and layout is excellent with a wide range of vegetables and fruit trees, which were well advanced with produce ready to pick and eat. A lot of thought and hard work has gone into recycling. Rainwater is collected to feed all the plants, all the materials used at this plot have been from recycled and salvaged from unwanted materials. Impressive effort of railway 200 elements."

• Runner-up – Havenstreet Community Association

Judges' comments - "Made lots of use of the space available. Fruit trees and green house growing vegetables and fruit. A well thought out garden with a good range of plants, wildlife friendly and very well thought out display to commemorate 200 years of the railway."

Best container garden

• Winner - Aly & Gary Inman, Sandown

Judges' comments - "A dazzling array of containers which have been planted thoughtfully and with a good set of colour combinations. Good use of all surfaces available and this container garden shows that more can be very effective when done well. The containers are brimming with colourful and well maintained plants using a good variety of heights and interesting containers. Excellent use of an awkward space which everyone passing by can enjoy."

• Runner-up – Will Thurbin, Niton

Judges' comments - "A very colourful and abundant display of containers, which have been planted with a wide range of plants ranging from bedding plants through to succulents, scented climbers, grasses and perennials. The railway theme complements the display with vintage luggage used as a based display for some containers."

Best care giving complex garden

• Winner - Bucklers View Housing Care, Cowes

Judges' comments - "This garden and has many different aspects, raised beds, green houses, fruit and vegetable beds, seating and large expansive lawns. The judges loved the train made by a resident. They were impressed by the planters obtained from Southern Water which collect water from roof gutters. The feeling from this garden is of much interest and care for the residents."

• Runner-up – Ryde Village

Judges' comments - "A new garden showing good potential, some residents have created lovely individual displays and the railway 200 display is colourful and fun."

Patron’s award

• Winner - Rosalind Smith, Fishbourne

Judges' comments - "The only advice would be to keep loving this haven of tranquillity you have created. This garden doesn't have hard landscaping as it would conflict with the natural environment, natural materials are used for pathways. Wild flowers are encouraged to spread and grow where they want to, this encourages the natural appearance and means the ecosystem thrives - we saw examples of wild orchids, cow parsley and ferns.

This two acre site reflects the owners love of the area over many years and their commitment to providing a garden that stood the test of time and will adapt naturally to our changing climate. As judges it took our breath away, a hidden beauty nurtured with love and understanding of the natural environment.

An outstanding entrant that is deserving of the Patrons Award."

Peggy Jarman award for overall winner 

• Winner - Nicola Fradgley, Niton

Judges' comments - "The standard of all the category winners were outstandingly high this year. Each one worthy of winning in their own right making our final decision always really difficult. The scores were really close across the board but one winner really did stand out to us all.

This garden blew the judges away again with how much commitment, hard work and planning had gone into it. The design and layout is excellent and well thought out. It is clear a lot of hard work has gone into recycling and all the materials used have been from recycled and salvaged from unwanted materials. This garden is self sufficient providing an abundance of produce all year round. This garden had a WOW factor and is a deserving winner."