AFTER taking the gold award in 2019’s national Britain in Bloom, Reading in Bloom is back.
Despite the lack of the national competition this year, the local competition is just about to blossom.
Keen gardeners are encouraged to submit their floral arrangements and spaces for judging, which will take place in August.
Front and back gardens, allotments, balconies, and even commercial spaces will be critiqued for their floral content, colours, seasonal interest, levels of maintenance, and design.
Reading in Bloom’s chair Marc Allridge said: “We are delighted to be back.
“Hang on to your hollyhocks for Reading’s favourite floral competition.”
No professional design or gardening expertise is required, with well tended gardens taking extra points.
Competitors are recommended also that spaces which support wildlife such as bees, butterflies, and birds.
This could include using nectar-rich plants, and places of natural habitat.
“We will judge your entries in August and those shortlisted will be invited to a ceremony in September alongside those who missed out on their ceremony due to covid again in 2020.”
“And after this year we will be going full bloom into our 50th anniversary in 2023!”
Despite a small, scaled-back competition in 2020, most local competitions were cancelled, with those who won in 2019 missing out on a prize ceremony.
It was the first year entrants from Reading had taken the gold award at the national competion.
Alongside the winners of this year’s competition, those who missed out in 2020 will also be invited to the prize ceremony in September.
This year’s categories are residential, community gardens, allotments, commercial landscaping, pub and restaurant, and wellbeing gardens.
For more information, or to enter your garden space, visit: www.readinginbloom.co.uk
