Residents and colleagues at HC-One’s Littleton Lodge Care Home in Hednesford, Cannock, are celebrating after being crowned the Bonus Bloom Finalist in the national HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition.
The annual initiative encourages HC-One care homes across the UK to get creative with their outdoor spaces, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of gardening while strengthening ties with the local community and promoting sustainable practices.
Littleton Lodge wowed the judges with its colourful, inclusive, and eco-friendly garden, designed for wellbeing, community connection, and biodiversity, ultimately earning a prize hamper, which includes a plaque, gardening gloves multipack, personalised gardening tools, personalised decorative garden sign (Gardens in Bloom 2025), In the garden' hand cream trio set, gardening tool tote bag, Lindt chocolates, gift wrapping: wicker basket, flower seed sacks, RHS Gardening Through the Year: month-by-month Planning Instructions and Inspiration, and planting planner.
Throughout spring and summer, the team worked hard to transform the garden into a vibrant, multi-sensory haven, featuring bee-friendly flowers, fruit trees, and unique upcycled decorations. One highlight was Jen’s Legacy, a heartfelt space-themed garden created in memory of much-loved resident Jennifer Small.
Residents, families, and colleagues were joined by local volunteers, children from the Hednesford 1st Scouts, and community groups to bring the garden to life. Activities included planting seeds, painting pots, making bee houses, and crafting decorations from recycled materials. Local business Bramble Berry Fairies also supported the project, recycling tins into themed planters and gifting bespoke pots.
The garden’s design focused on accessibility, sustainability, and mental wellbeing. Key features included:
- Dementia-friendly sensory areas with fragrant plants such as lavender and rosemary.
- Raised vegetable beds supplying fresh herbs and produce for the home’s kitchen.
- Bright flowerbeds and window boxes to enhance views from indoors.
- Wildlife-friendly elements, including bee houses and pollinator-attracting flowers.
- Upcycling and recycling initiatives, from reusing catering tins to crafting pinecone decorations.
- Fruit trees planted to create a lasting legacy for future residents to enjoy.
Morgan Munroe, Front of House Manager at HC-One’s Littleton Lodge Care Home,
said:
“We are so pleased to have received this award. I’d like to thank all of our residents, colleagues, and local supporters for their hard work and dedication. The garden has brought so much happiness and connection to our home, and the benefits for residents’ wellbeing have been incredible. This space is more than a garden, it’s a symbol of community, care, and creativity.”
The HC-One Gardens in Bloom competition gave participants freedom to explore creative ideas, from wildlife gardens to sensory patches and vegetable plots. Five regional finalists as well as an overall winner were selected from across England, Scotland, and Wales, based on creativity,
community engagement, and sustainable gardening practices. Regional finalists received a plaque and gardening hamper whilst the overall winner, judged and selected by James Tugendhat, Chief Executive Officer at HC-One, received a trophy, plaque, and gardening hamper plus a £300 gift voucher kindly sponsored and donated by Real Trade Supplies.