CHERRY Tree Care Home in Caldicot has been highly commended at the annual Hallmark in Bloom gardening competition.

The home, which provides residential and nursing care, was praised for its use of outdoor space and their resident engagement at the care provider’s company-wide event.

The Hallmark in Bloom competition first established in 2003, encourages residents and the local community to get involved in gardening, be it by planting pots or simply sitting in the garden and joining in with the conversation.

Gill Jones, general manager at Cherry Tree said: “As a team we are delighted to have been highly commended for our lovely garden. We are all very proud to have such a bright and colourful space to spend time in with our residents and their families.”

A panel of judges from Hallmark Care Homes and gardening charity Thrive visited the home last month, along with 15 other Hallmark care homes across England and Wales before coming to their decision.

Entrants were judged on resident involvement, best recording of gardening activities, visual appeal, and use of fresh produce in the home.

Damien Newman, Training, Education and Consultancy Manager for Thrive said: “Cherry Tree have again grown their garden and all the team should be proud to have a garden with a real back garden feel, where all can come along and enjoy themselves from ages nine months to 99 years old and beyond.”