Green-fingered volunteers in Perth have been putting the finishing touches to their Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Britain in Bloom campaign in preparation for the judges’ arrival.
Last summer 71 locations were selected to represent their region/nation in this year’s final, each hoping to score top marks and be announced category winner at the awards ceremony in Bristol in October.
Perth is in the large town category alongside Belper, Carrickfergus, Colwyn Bay, Congleton, Farnham, Malvern, Truro, Wisbech and Durham and the efforts of the Fair City will be judged on Monday.
This year the UK’s largest community gardening campaign celebrates its 50th anniversary and thousands of volunteers in cities, towns and villages across the country have been busy “growing for gold”.
There are more than 3,900 bloom groups throughout Britain whose work benefits millions of UK residents by keeping neighbourhoods and streets green, clean and thriving.
RHS judges Jon Wheatley and Darren Share will meet community representatives and go on a tour of local projects, assessing In Bloom campaigns against three key criteria: horticultural achievement, community participation and environmental responsibility.
Communities are hoping to receive a bronze, silver, silver-gilt or gold award, depending on their level of achievement.
For one year only, Jim Buttress, BBC Great Allotment Challenge judge and former head judge of RHS Britain in Bloom, will return to the panel.
Along with his fellow judges, Mr Buttress will be inspecting everything from the usual bedding displays to recycling initiatives, as well as natural habitats and conservation areas.
Judges will also be taking into account sustainable practices and inventive schemes to raise money to fund projects.
Andrea Van Sittart, RHS head of regional development, said: “The groups that have made it to the final stages represent the very best in community gardening and it is their passion and community spirit which have got them this far.
“I wish all the finalists the very best of luck and urge more people to get involved in the campaign so that we can continue to grow on the success of the last 50 years.”
To find out more, visit www.rhs.org.uk/communities.