Green-fingered Tenants Celebrated in STAR Housing Garden Competition

STAR Housing is proud to recognise the creativity and care of tenants across Shropshire through its annual Garden Competition. This year’s event saw residents from Bridgnorth and Oswestry showcase their outdoor spaces in four categories: Best Garden, Best Communal Garden, Best Container and Wonderfully Wild Garden.

Judging took place over two days, with a panel including STAR Housing staff and horticulture experts. Gardens were assessed for their design, impact on wellbeing, and contribution to community and wildlife.

(James Owen, Shropshire Council – Portfolio Holder for Housing and Leisure, Pippa – 1^st Place Garden Competition Winner (Wonderfully Wild), Tony Deakin, Chair of STAR Housing Board)

Winners received a gardening voucher and certificate from STAR Housing. 1st place winners were also gifted a beautiful rose donated by renowned local growers David Austin Roses for which Derwen College Garden Centre is proud to be a distributor.

First-place winners were invited to STAR Housing’s AGM in October to receive their certificates and share their experiences. Wendy and Maggie  from Weston Rhyn gave a heartfelt speech about how gardening has improved their wellbeing and strengthened their friendship.

“Gardening brings me so much joy. It’s like therapy,” said Wendy. “There’s always something to do and a reason to get outside.”

(Wendy – 1^st Place Garden Competition Winner (Best Garden), Maggie  – 1^st Place Garden Competition Winner (Best Container))

Garden Competition Winners

Best Garden

• 1st place: Wendy - Weston Rhyn

• 2nd place: Samantha – Bridgnorth

• 3rd place: Keith - Stottesdon

Best Communal Garden

• 1st place: Unicorn Road – Oswestry

• 2nd place: Ifton View Communal Garden – St Martins

• Judges Commendation: Poplar Court - Weston Rhyn

Best Container 

• 1st place: Maggie  – Weston Rhyn

• 2nd place: Jacqueline – West Felton

• 3rd place: Ellen – Oswestry

Wonderfully Wild 

• 1st place: Pippa – Bridgnorth

Highlights from the Winning Gardens

• Pippa's Wonderfully Wild Garden features roses tied to life events, a wildlife pond, chickens, quails, and sensory planting designed by her husband.
• Unicorn Road’s Communal Garden has transformed into a vibrant space for neighbours to gather, with repurposed planters, edible plants, and STAR Housing-supported seating and lighting.
• Wendy's Mediterranean-inspired garden was praised for its healthy plants and wildlife-friendly design.
• Maggie’s container garden creates a sea of colour with a rockery built from donated materials, evoking the charm of an Italian terrace.

This competition is one of the many ways STAR Housing celebrates tenant creativity and the positive impact of outdoor spaces on wellbeing and community spirit.