North Lanarkshire tenants have been praised for transforming gardens and neighbourhoods into colourful, welcoming spaces in this year’s NL in Bloom Awards.
From vibrant shared spaces and smaller gardens to impressive transformations and home-grown harvests, this year’s entries showcased an incredible range of gardening talent.
The judging panel included representatives from the North Lanarkshire Federation of Tenants and Residents, Councillor Michael McPake, Convener of Housing, and housing staff.
And they had a tough job on their hands as they explored the colourful gardens and outdoor spaces entered in this year’s competition.
Councillor McPake said: “It's fantastic to see the garden awards growing from strength to strength. The incredible standard of this year's entries shows the pride our tenants take in their homes and communities.
“I’d like to congratulate every tenant who took part, and especially our winners, whose hard work, creativity and dedication have made such a positive difference across North Lanarkshire.”
The annual competition, which ran from 30 March to 31 July, attracted an impressive 44% increase in entries.
A new Pride in Place category was introduced this year, recognising tenants who demonstrate exceptional pride in their neighbourhood through their gardening efforts.
Judges also considered awards for Best Individual Garden, Best Shared Garden, Best Use of Space, Best Garden Transformation, Young Gardener, Sustainable Gardens, Best New Build and Best Retirement Housing Garden.
Among this year’s winners was Billy Scott of Calder Court, Motherwell, who was named overall winner. His garden impressed judges with its carefully planned layout, colourful flowers, fruit and vegetable growing area and spaces designed for the whole family, including areas where he can teach his grandchildren about gardening.
Billy discovered his passion for gardening during Covid and this year grew pears, plums, strawberries, sweetcorn and beans, which he enjoys sharing with family and neighbours.
Sunart Street Retirement Housing was named Overall Retirement Housing Winner, with judges praising the beautiful, shared garden enjoyed by residents.
Sustainability was also a strong theme throughout the competition. Gerard Daly, winner of Best Sustainable Garden in the Bellshill and Motherwell locality, grows a wide variety of fruit and vegetables to share with neighbours and has cultivated more than 300 plants from small cuttings, which are also shared within the community.
Community spirit was equally evident in the Best Shared Garden category. At Drummond Drive in Wishaw, tenants have worked together to make the most of their space, with individual growing areas producing strawberries, cabbage, potatoes, pak choi and other crops.
The awards ceremony was held at Colzium House in Kilsyth, with its stunning grounds providing a fitting setting to recognise gardeners whose hard work has helped brighten communities across North Lanarkshire.