Behind the scenes at Shrewsbury in Bloom
Long known as the ‘town of flowers’, Shrewsbury is a town that takes its Britain in Bloom responsibilities seriously. All the hard work that went into the Shropshire town’s gold-winning award in the small city category at last year’s Britain in Bloom finals was recently showcased in an episode of the BBC’s Britain in Bloom TV show.
Based on the interest piqued by the programme, the organisers of Shrewsbury in Bloom decided to open up their vast greenhouse at Weeping Cross to the public, so that they could see the 300, 000 plants for themselves before they reached their final destination in Shrewsbury’s sensational summer displays.
Flowers up close
While the true beauty of Shrewsbury in Bloom’s flowers is not in evidence until the town council’s maintenance staff plant them in barrels, troughs, hanging baskets and beds all over the town, the effect of seeing them grouped together where they have grown is a spectacular one. Over 150 keen gardeners attended the event in May which was perfectly timed to show the plants off at their best before they are planted to wow the Britain in Bloom final judges yet again.
Learning the ropes
The visitors to Weeping Cross were treated to a guided tour of the enormous greenhouse by town council staff and Shrewsbury in Bloom committee members. They were also shown demonstrations of how the many hanging baskets that make up the town’s annual floral displays are created. At Amberol, we are pleased to work with Shrewsbury in Bloom each year by supplying our self-watering planters to create the ‘town of flowers’’ stunning displays using our unique Aquafeed system that significantly reduces costs and saves time and water by eliminating the need for daily watering.
Sowing the seeds for Britain in Bloom
Every year, it’s obvious to most of Shrewsbury’s residents just how much hard work goes into creating the vibrant floral displays that enhance the town year in, year out. However, there is nothing like seeing the 300, 000 plants all under one roof to appreciate the sheer scale of the work that goes on behind the scenes. Keith Roberts, chairman of Shrewsbury in Bloom said, “With the success of Shrewsbury in the recent BBC2 Britain in Bloom programme, it is wonderful that so many people are interested in seeing how things are managed behind the scenes. The vast number of bedding plants destined for Shrewsbury’s fantastic floral features never fails to amaze our visitors when the plants are lined up in rows in the greenhouse.”
A community in bloom
Opening up the greenhouse to public is just one of the innovative ways that Shrewsbury in Bloom manages to make Britain in Bloom so much more than just a gardening competition. By involving the community at every level, the committee are able to foster a true sense of community and pride in the town of Shrewsbury.
If you would like more information about Amberol’s wide range of self-watering hanging baskets and planters, available in many styles and 18 colours, please call us on 01773 830930 or email us at sales@amberol.co.uk.
