Staff at Tube stations have been racing to grow the most fragrant honeysuckle at Leyton, the loveliest lilies at Rayners Lane and the tastiest spinach at Hampstead.

All this green-fingered work is done in their own time as part of the Tube's annual Underground in Bloom competition.

Platforms, station entrances and ticket halls have been transformed into colourful oases for customers to enjoy.

Some employees have used the 150th anniversary of London Underground for inspiration by growing a bed of flowers in the shape of the number 150 or by cultivating Victorian era blooms. Other staff have even used what little space they have to nurture a miniature lawn in a depot.

A team of judges has been assessing the entries, which include categories such as hanging baskets, tubs, cultivated gardens and fruit and veg.

This year has seen 68 entries from stations, depots and train crew sites. Judges are looking for overall impact of the display, imagination and creativity.

Extra points will be given for 'greener' gardens and for the interpretation of the 150th anniversary theme.

Phil Hufton, Chief Operating Officer for London Underground, said: 'I'd like to thank all our staff for turning our stations, depots and train crew sites into places that are bursting with colour in the 150th year of the world's first underground railway.

'Real effort has gone into creating these horticultural masterpieces by our workforce in their own time and we know it's much appreciated by our customers.

'With so many excellent entries it's going to be tough to choose the outright winners of each category, every entrant should be proud of their achievements.'

The awards ceremony will take place on 11 September at City Hall.

Notes to editors:

The Tube is undergoing a huge and essential programme to modernise its infrastructure - vital to cope with a growing population and to support the economic development and growth of the Capital and the UK.

This includes the introduction of new track and signalling and the rebuilding of some of our most important stations. By the end of the current programme there will be 30% more capacity.

TfL is working hard to provide information and alternative travel options while work is taking place. The work is essential to provide for London's growing transport needs now, and into the future.

TfL is urging all Londoners and Tube, London Overground, London Tramlink and DLR passengers to 'check before you travel' at weekends, allowing extra journey time where necessary. Weekend travel news is available at tfl.gov.uk/check

The stations, depots and train crew sites below have entered the 2013 Underground in Bloom competition:

 

Jubilee line

Neasden
Canada Water
Bermondsey

Northern line

Hampstead
Highgate
Clapham North
Stockwell
High Barnet Train Crew Accommodation
Finchley Central
Totteridge & Whetstone
High Barnet
Kentish Town
East Finchley

Piccadilly line

Osterley
Arnos Grove Train Crew Accommodation
Sudbury Town
Northfields
Sudbury Hill
Acton Town Piccadilly Train Crew Accommodation (Bollo House)
Northfields Train Crew Accommodation (Charles Holden House)
Cockfosters

District line

Upminster Train Crew Accommodation
Bromley-by-Bow
Ealing Common Depot
East Ham
West Brompton
Putney Bridge
Stamford Brook
West Kensington
Turnham Green
Ravenscourt Park

Metropolitan line

Eastcote
Amersham
Northwood Hills
Rayners Lane
North Harrow
Preston Road
Rickmansworth
Watford

Circle and Hammersmith & City lines

Edgware Road (C&H)
Barking Train Crew Accommodation
South Kensington
Bayswater

Bakerloo line

Queen's Park Train Crew Accommodation
Kensal Green
Maida Vale

Central line

East Acton
Leyton
Newbury Park
Chigwell
Snaresbrook
White City Train Crew Accommodation
Theydon Bois
North Acton
Northolt
Notting Hill Gate
Greenford
Hainault Train Crew Accommodation
West Ruislip Train Crew Accommodation
Epping
Roding Valley
Leyton Signals Depot

Victoria line

Brixton Train Crew Accommodation / Electra House
Osborne House
Northumberland Park Depot
Tottenham Hale

Other locations

Frank Pick House
Acton Works (Distribution Services)