Green-fingered residents have once again shown off their gardening talents as part of this year’s Havering in Bloom competition.
From beautiful back gardens and colourful hanging baskets to impressive communal spaces and towering sunflowers, residents, schools and community groups from across the Borough have helped make Havering bloom in 2026.
The finalists and winners gathered at a ceremony on Friday 18 September 2026 at Havering Town Hall, in Romford.
They were presented with their certificates and gift card prizes for B&Q, by the Mayor of Havering, Councillor Maggie Themistocli.
The gift cards were kindly donated by this year’s sponsors, Wates, Mears, SureServe, Equans, AJS, and Cube.
The annual competition celebrates the hard work, creativity and community spirit of local gardeners, with prizes awarded across six categories.
This year’s tallest sunflower competition proved particularly close, with just one inch separating the top two.
John Prentice, of Brentwood Road, Romford, took first place with an impressive sunflower measuring 12ft 2in, narrowly beating previous winner Eric Willson’s 12ft 1in entry.
Best Back Garden
- Lily Crosby – Osborne Road, Hornchurch
- Heather Steel – Cowper Road, Rainham
- John Fowler – Stafford Avenue, Hornchurch
Best Front Garden
- Eric Willson – Ashdown Walk, Romford
- Mr and Mrs Berkley Bathust – Wood Lane, Hornchurch
- Marie Wilkinson – Marks Roads, Romford
Best Communal Garden
- Janet Triggs – Upminster Windmill
- Carol Gibson – Evelyn Sharp House
- Sue Cotterill and Bernard Murphy – Abbs Cross Lane
Best Hanging Basket
- Linda Bendelow – Newbury Gardens, Upminster
- Carol and Andrew Roberts – Lodge Lane, Hornchurch
- Leonard Watkinson – Bancroft Chase, Hornchurch
Best School Display
- Roxanne Snook – Branfil Primary School
- Tammy Ellis – Harrow Lodge Primary School
Tallest Sunflower
- John Prentice – Brentwood Road, Romford – 12ft 2in
- Eric Willson – Ashdown Walk, Romford – 12ft 1in
- Adam Parkes – Mawney Road, Romford – 11ft 6.2in
Councillor Maggie Themistocli, Mayor of Havering, said:
"Havering in Bloom is a wonderful celebration of the pride people take in their homes, schools and communities.
"I have been so impressed by the creativity, care and dedication shown by this year’s entrants.
"Whether it is a beautiful hanging basket, a much-loved communal garden or a sunflower reaching more than 12 feet into the air, every entry has played a part in making our Borough a brighter and more colourful place.
"A huge congratulations to all our winners and everyone who took part this year.
"Thank you for helping Havering continue to bloom."
The competition continues a long-running tradition of recognising the Borough’s gardening talent.