Australian Unity Retirement and Aged Care Communities are excited to sponsor this year’s Hanging Baskets Competition.
As Australia’s first wellbeing company, established in 1840, we understand the powerful connection between gardening and wellbeing. Gardening not only promotes physical activity but also reduces stress, boosts moods, and nurtures mental health by connecting with nature. It fosters a sense of accomplishment and provides valuable opportunities for social interaction.
While moving into a seniors living community removed the burden of the heavy garden maintenance, we love seeing how our residents embrace their outdoor spaces, big or small.
Visit us at the show or head to australianunity.com.au/assisted-living to learn more.
What is the Hanging Basket Competition?
The Hanging Basket Competition is suitable for anyone and everyone, including professional horticulturists, green thumbs, flower lovers or anything with a creative flair – this is your chance to get involved!
The concept was and remains simple; participants pay an entry fee and receive a hanging basket and potting mix to prepare their very own hanging basket to display at the Show. The aim is to encourage gardening through a platform that allows anyone to be involved in the biggest Flower & Garden Show in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Hanging Basket Competition was created to encourage variety, creativity and provide a blank canvas to all participants. Recent editions have seen a diverse range of plants such as cacti, succulents, bonsai, natives and culinary varieties. As a result, virtually anything is fair game as long as it can be successfully grown in a basket, with the only conditions listed in the Judging section below.
The competition continues to receive significant industry support, with the key equipment coming from both Brunnings (provider of the Hanging Baskets) and Debco (provider of the Potting Mix). The collection locations for the equipment are also integral to the competition, with the competition receiving support from All Green Nursery & Garden, Gardenworld, Yarra Edge Nursery, The Greenery and Yarra View Garden Centre. Be sure to check out the exclusive discounts available at selected nurseries for participants further down the page.
Please note that the theme is not mandatory, and we encourage all ideas and inspirations that will make your creation relevant to you. It will not impact on how your basket is judged or require you to support the connection to the theme.
2026 theme: wellbeing
What do I need to do?
To take part in the Hanging Basket Competition, participants will need to follow the below process:
- Complete the application form at the bottom of this page.
- Event Management will notify you when your equipment is available to be collected.
- Travel to your preferred pick-up location (selected in application) to collect your equipment for the competition. Equipment will not be delivered to any participants.
- Pay the $50 entry fee at the pick-up location and collect your Hanging Basket and Potting Mix.
- Take your equipment home with you to begin your creation.
- Deliver your basket to the Show on Sunday 22nd March.
- Collect your basket from the Show from 4:00pm on Sunday 29th March until 5:00pm Monday 30th March.
You will receive more details around the drop off and collection of your display closer to the Show.
Where do I collect it?
All participants will be required to collect their provided equipment from their preferred local nursery of the options listed below. Be sure to check out the EXCLUSIVE PARTICIPANT DISCOUNTS available next to each of the locations below.
All participants will need to select their preferred pick-up collection when submitting their application.
Yarra Edge Nursery | Fairfield
Yarra Bend Rd, Fairfield VIC 3078
Discount : 25% off any additional purchase when collecting
Gardenworld | Elwood
419-425 St Kilda St, Elwood VIC 3184
Discount : 15% off additional purchases
Gardenworld | Braeside
810 Springvale Rd, Braeside VIC 3195
Discount : 15% off additional purchases
Knoxbrooke Nursery | Mount Evelyn
136 York Rd, Mount Evelyn VIC 3796
Discount : $10 off any additional purchase over $50
The Greenery | Heidelberg
4 Banksia St, Heidelberg VIC 3084
Discount : 5% off additional purchases
All Green Nursery | Hoppers Crossing
130 Old Geelong Rd, Hoppers Crossing VIC 3029
Discount : $10 Voucher to spend in store
Judging & brief
Judging will take place before the Show where the top 10 baskets will be announced. The top 10 and winners of the competition will be announced with Australian Unity at the hanging baskets site on Saturday 28th . Check out the participant guide for the key criteria and conditions of entry.
Awards & Recognition
All participants who make up part of the Hanging Basket Competition will receive an official Show Certificate acknowledging their role in the Show.
In addition, the top 10 place winners will be award prize money and have their entry dressed with a Rosette. The prize money split is available below.
- 1st Place = $850
- 2nd Place = $650
- 3rd Place = $500
- 4th Place = $400
- 5th Place = $350
- 6th Place = $300
- 7th Place = $250
- 8th Place = $200
- 9th Place = $150
- 10th Place = $100
Applications for 2026 have now closed! Fill out the form below to express interest if any spots open up!