Many stations and depots on London’s Tube and railway stations are in full bloom thanks to the efforts of green-fingered staff.

To recognise their efforts, Transport for London (TfL) runs an annual ‘In Bloom’ competition that is open to all staff.

Green-fingered staff transformed parts of stations and depots across the network by turning walls, tables, and entire platforms into colourful gardens of flowers, fruits, vegetables, and air-purifying plants

The staff’s efforts align with the Mayor of London and Transport for London’s commitment to help protect and improve the environment, and their gardens promote sustainability and help improve the well-being of the city’s residents and visitors.

‘In Bloom‘ is a competition that recognises the variety of gardens to be found on London’s transport network.

Awards are made in categories ranging from indoor gardens and hanging baskets to larger cultivated gardens, and some gardens have even benefitted from the help of customers.

Spaces in stations, depots, and offices were used in innovative ways to develop gardens that were beautiful and often provided fresh produce.

This year’s ‘Gardens of The Future’ theme award went to Northwick Park Underground station for utilising a small space to grow adaptable, sustainable, and edible plants in a way that showed how to maximise the use of small green spaces across the transport network.

Both the ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Best Newcomer’ awards went to Upminster Depot where in just a few months staff had transformed a patch of disused space into a garden with a seating area, wildflower meadow, and art on portacabins and office walls.

The In Bloom competition has been running for over 100 years, after it was started by the District Railway in 1910.

The century-old tradition has been kept alive by Transport for London and its enthusiastic staff, who often work with local residents and businesses.

Over 60 entries were received this year, from West Croydon in South London to Croxley in the north, and from Upminster in East London to West Ruislip in the west.

A similar programme called ‘Merseyrail in Bloom’ was launched earlier this year to make the stations in and around Liverpool and Merseyside more vibrant, greener, and welcoming.

“Climate change is a very real threat to all of us, and this year’s In Bloom competition had sustainability firmly at its core.
“The winners of In Bloom truly harnessed this message, creating unique and beautiful gardens which will brighten Londoners’ journeys while reminding us of the importance of looking after our planet and adapting to the effects of climate change.”

Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport

“London’s Tube and rail stations have been bursting with colour over the summer as our staff have been creating vibrant gardens for our In Bloom gardening competition. These not only brighten up local communities and customer’s journeys everyday they help to tackle climate change. The standard of the entries this year was tremendous, and we’d like to thank everyone involved for their efforts.”

Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director