Growing together: Whiddon’s Floral Frenzy returns, bringing gardens, creativity and community to life this spring
From colourful courtyards to edible gardens, Whiddon’s annual spring garden competition is bringing residents, clients, families, team members and local communities together across NSW and Queensland.
27 September 2026
This spring, leading non-for-profit aged care provider Whiddon is inviting its community to get their hands dirty, get creative and grow together as its popular Floral Frenzy Spring Garden Challenge returns for 2026.
Now expanding across Whiddon’s 24 Residential Aged Care homes, Retirement Villages and Home Care community, Floral Frenzy is turning gardens into spaces for connection, creativity and self-expression, bringing people together around something as simple and joyful as growing.
From planting flowers and vegetables to creating sensory spaces, recycled garden features and gardens inspired by culture and heritage, this year’s participants are being encouraged to create outdoor spaces that tell a story and reflect the people who bring them to life.
The competition builds on the success of last year’s challenge, which saw Whiddon homes across regional NSW embrace gardening as a way to connect residents with each other and their local communities. At Whiddon Maclean Mareeba, last year’s winning garden featured a striking Rainbow Serpent artwork created with a local artist, bringing together culture, storytelling and nature.
Other communities found their own ways to make their gardens meaningful, from incorporating local landmarks and recycled materials to working alongside gardening clubs, Men’s Shed groups, volunteers, families and school students.
Vicky Coumbe, Manager – Wellbeing, Lifestyle and RBC at Whiddon, said Floral Frenzy was about much more than creating a beautiful garden.
“Gardens have a wonderful way of bringing people together. They create opportunities to share stories, memories, skills and creativity, while giving people something meaningful to nurture and take pride in. Floral Frenzy is about celebrating that sense of connection. Whether someone is planting a seed, choosing a flower, designing a garden feature or simply enjoying the finished space, everyone can play a part.”
“We’re particularly excited to see the competition grow across our wider Whiddon community this year. It gives our residents, clients, families, team members and local communities another opportunity to come together and create something that is meaningful to them.”
This year, participants can choose from four themes: Around the World in Bloom, celebrating culture, heritage and traditions; Grow Together, focused on building relationships with families, schools and community groups; Edible Paradise, bringing fresh herbs, fruit and vegetables into shared activities; and Australian Oasis, celebrating native plants and wildlife.
There are also wildcard categories designed to encourage participation in different ways, reflecting Whiddon’s strong regional presence and the diverse communities it supports, including Tallest Sunflower, Best Recycled Garden Feature, Succulent Garden and Largest Vegetable, Fruit or Produce.
Importantly, Floral Frenzy is designed so everyone can take part, regardless of ability or mobility. While some residents may be getting their hands dirty in the garden, others can contribute in different ways, with Relationship-Based Care (RBC) Buddies working alongside residents to create smaller gardens, such as succulent gardens in their rooms. These individual projects can become part of their home’s wider entry, ensuring everyone can contribute, be creative and enjoy the experience.
For Residential Aged Care homes, participating teams can access up to $1,000 to bring their garden ideas to life, with the winning home receiving a $5,000 outdoor space improvement grant. Retirement Village and Home Care participants will also have the opportunity to win garden improvement funding and gardening vouchers.
For Whiddon, the real measure of success will be what grows alongside the gardens.
“Every garden tells a story,” said Vicky. “We can’t wait to see the ideas, memories and connections that bloom across our communities this spring.”
Entries close 20 November 2026, with judging taking place on 27 November and winners announced on 30 November.
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About Whiddon
Whiddon is an award-winning care provider that aims to inspire every day across its 24 residential aged care homes, community care and NDIS services throughout NSW and Southeast Queensland.
For more than 75 years, Whiddon has provided care and support to older Australians and people living with disability across regional, rural and remote communities.
Whiddon proudly partners with academics and universities to remain at the forefront of innovation, leading new thinking, programs and training around quality of life and ageing.
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