Are you ready to showcase your green thumb and creativity on the grand stage of the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show? 🌿 The much-loved Hanging Basket Competition is back for 2025, and we can’t wait to see the masterpieces you’ll create!
What is the Hanging Basket Competition
Since its inception in 2001 with just 50 entries, the Hanging Basket Competition has blossomed into a Show highlight, now hosting over 400 participants annually. Designed to encourage creativity and celebrate the joy of gardening, the competition provides a platform for everyone—from hobbyists to schools and garden clubs—to be part of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest flower and garden show.
Participants receive a Brunnings Renaissance Hanging Basket and Debco Premium Potting Mix to design their own hanging garden. From cacti and succulents to culinary plants and native flora, the possibilities are endless! The only rule? Your basket must include living plants, and the provided basket must be used.
Why Join?
Joining the Hanging Basket Competition is about more than gardening—it’s about community, creativity, and fun! All participants will enjoy:
- An official Show Competition Certificate
- Two complimentary tickets to the Melbourne International Flower & Garden Show
- Exclusive discounts at participating nurseries
- The chance to compete for prize money, with awards for the top 10 entries (up to $850 for first place!)
How It Works:
Getting involved is simple:
- Apply online and select your preferred nursery for equipment pickup.
- Pay the $50 entry fee at your chosen nursery and collect your basket and potting mix.
- Start crafting your masterpiece at home!
- Deliver your creation to the Show on Sunday, 23 March 2025 for display throughout the event.
- Collect your basket after the Show on 30–31 March 2025.
Exclusive Nursery Discounts
When collecting your equipment, enjoy special participant-only discounts at these local nurseries:
- All Green Nursery & Garden Hoppers Crossing – $10 voucher upon collection
- Yarra Edge Nursery (Fairfield) – 25% off plant purchases
- Bayside Gardenworld (Elwood) and more!

Unleash Your Creativity!
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a first-time participant, the Hanging Basket Competition is your chance to shine. With judging criteria that include plant health, innovative design, and overall presentation, this is your opportunity to think outside the (hanging) basket and let your imagination bloom.
Head Judge Inge Jabara of Inge Jabara Landscapes encourages participants to experiment with modern techniques and accessories. “Think of your basket as a blank canvas,” she says. “Show us your garden inspiration, tell a story, or just have fun with it!”
Apply Now:
Applications for the 2025 Hanging Basket Competition are now open. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this iconic Show feature.