The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) has announced the 44 finalists competing in this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom UK Finals, as groups across the nation prepare to win judges over with their greening of the UK’s villages, towns and cities.

The finalists, nominated through regional arms of the competition, will compete to be crowned winner in one of eight categories, and will secure an RHS gold, silver gilt, silver or bronze award. One will then go on to be named RHS Britain in Bloom Overall Winner for 2025.

Judges will assess groups’ efforts against a criteria that has environmental benefit, community engagement and horticultural excellence at its core.

This year there are 13 first-time finalists, including Conwy in Bloom, Uppingham in Bloom and Torquay in Bloom with many showcasing groups’ commitment to sustainable water practices.

Among this year’s finalists are Abergavenny in Bloom who have devised a smart system that draws on sensors fitted across the town centre that measure soil moisture levels and temperature to help conserve water and identify ideal planting conditions. Similarly, Stony Stratford in Bloom have fitted innovatively designed downpipes to polytunnels, enabling them to capture even more rainwater.

Many groups such as Middleton in Bloom and Better Bankside are also managing ‘pocket gardens’ – smaller scale growing spaces distributed across urban areas and including plots of land next to train stations and bus stops, along residential roads and in town centres.

Sarah Galvin, RHS Head of National Community Programmes, said: “Britain in Bloom is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of the incredible impact that gardening and green spaces can have on our communities and the environment."

"Congratulations to our 44 finalists who are demonstrating how convening people around gardening can be a powerful tool for tackling some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges we face today.”

There are 17 Britain in Bloom Regions that nominate their highest-performing entries to compete in the RHS run UK Finals. Each of the finalists will be visited by a pair of judges in summer 2025, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in the autumn.