Celebrating Boutique in Bloom: Our Boutique Care Home Garden Competition Winner
Something beautiful took root across all our homes in the South-East of England. This Summer 2025 marked the launch of our 2025 Boutique in Bloom garden competition; this initiative was designed to celebrate the power of nature and the joy of our communities coming together to create something truly special.
Residents, team members, families, and local supporters got involved, transforming gardens into colourful spaces bursting with creativity, connection, and care. Every home brought its own personality to life outdoors, and while one was crowned our overall winner, every single garden told its own unique and heart-warming story.
Our Boutique in Bloom winner is Chartwell House!
Winner: Chartwell House, Broadstairs
Chartwell House stole the show and the hearts of our judges, earning the title of Overall Winner and a prize of £200 in B&Q vouchers to invest in their thriving garden.
The win was a result of true teamwork where residents, team members, and volunteers all pitched in to transform the garden into a vibrant and sustainable space. At the heart of it all was the home’s resident gardening club, who tended to plants from seed, watered them daily, and saved seeds for future seasons.
One standout highlight was the seed-to-table experience. Tomatoes and other vegetables were grown from scratch, and with a generous donation of vegetables from Tony at Chartwell House’s Sight Loss Club, residents were able to harvest their own produce. The kitchen team then turned it into delicious, freshly prepared meals, a meaningful blend of nourishment and purpose.
Sustainability played a big role, where resident’s installed water butts to reduce waste and seed saving encouraged to support long-term gardening. Creativity was evident throughout, from the cheekily named “In-Bloomers” hanging baskets to the CH Voyage Canoe, a hand-painted centrepiece that paid tribute to Chartwell’s coastal roots.
A particularly touching moment came from the partnership between Stuart from the maintenance team and Peter, a resident, who cared for the tomato plants side-by-side. As Peter said, “He treats his plants like a mother hen looks after its eggs.” It captured the warmth and connection between residents and the team at Chartwell House.
The Burlington, Shepperton: Special Mention
The Burlington’s garden was a brilliant showcase of early planning, resident choice, and a long-term vision for sustainable growth.
Planting began as early as March 2025, with residents and team visiting local garden centres to select seeds and bulbs, this included tulips, sunflowers and rose bushes, all grown from scratch into a multi-coloured display.
A handmade “Boutique B” planter added a bespoke touch, while weekly maintenance by residents and team members kept the garden thriving. With seeds already collected for next year and exciting plans for raised beds, a greenhouse, and a brand-new herb garden, The Burlington is clearly planting for the future.
Brampton Manor, Newmarket: Special Mention
Brampton Manor’s garden was a beautiful reflection of community spirit and creativity. One of the most memorable moments came through an intergenerational engagement with Fairstead House School, pupils helped plant purple flowers and, in return, received hand-packed sunflower seeds from Head of Lifestyle Activity, Valda. A touching exchange that left a lasting impression on all involved.
The home also introduced a thoughtful Mother’s Day memorial garden, filled with bee-friendly perennials that offered space for both remembrance and biodiversity.
Innovation was at the forefront too, with broken fountains, an old wheelbarrow, and vintage bicycles upcycled into imaginative floral displays. And then there was the flourishing allotment, packed with homegrown vegetables including tomatoes, courgettes, onions, and beetroot. Residents and team members worked together daily, even planting marigolds as natural pest control. One raised bed, lovingly maintained by a resident’s family, was a heartfelt reminder of how care at Brampton is always shared.
Final Thoughts From Our Judges
Each of our homes brought something unique to Boutique in Bloom. While Chartwell House took home the top prize, every garden reflected the very best of what we do, creating welcoming spaces that bring generations together and prove, time and time again, that care can truly grow.
“The garden’s at the home are more than just an outdoor space, its a shared space for our resident’s, teams and the wider community. However, seeing residents, team members, and the community working side by side, nurturing each plant with such care and joy, was incredibly moving. Initiatives like Boutique in Bloom do more than brighten our gardens, they support wellbeing, encourage gentle activity, and foster meaningful connections across our homes.”
– Martin Murphy, Director of Operations, Boutique Care Homes
“One of the most inspiring parts of Boutique in Bloom was seeing how our local people and organisations got involved, whether through collaborating between residents and the team, donating plants, or offering materials. It reminded us that our homes are part of a much wider community. Looking ahead, we’re excited to build on that momentum by creating even more opportunities for residents, families and neighbours to grow further plants and vegetables in the future.’
– Carl Roberts, Director of Sales & Marketing, Boutique Care Homes
Preparations are already for Boutique in Bloom 2026 and we cannot wait to see how our gardens to continue to evolve, thrive and bloom next year.
To discover more about Boutique Care Homes, please visit www.www.boutiquecarehomes.co.uk