Birmingham City Centre
Birmingham hoping to repeat blooming success for city centre flowers
Royal Horticultural Society In Bloom campaign judges inspecting the city's floral trail this weekend
Andy Richards
Usain Bolt outside the Council House in Victoria Square in 2012
Judges will be inspecting the best of Birmingham's blooms at the weekend, with the city hoping to repeat its success of 12 months ago when it won international awards for its renowned Floral Trail.
It is competing against almost a dozen others, not only on the basis of its floral displays but also its approach to planning, tourism and the essential work which goes into making the city a welcoming, attractive place work, live and visit.
Birmingham's City Centre Floral Trail is supported by the Birmingham City Centre Partnership with additional sponsorship from the Broad Street, Colmore, Retail Birmingham, Southside and Jewellery Quarter Business Improvement Districts and St Philip's Cathedral.
The Trail includes living walls and wildflowers, as well as thousands of colourful plants in flower beds, on railings and in hanging baskets – all created and maintained by Birmingham Parks and Nurseries team.
The Floral Trail forms part of Birmingham's entry into the Royal Horticultural Society In Bloom campaign and can be enjoyed by visitors to the city until early September.
A section of the 2013 Trail will be included in the Entente Florale Judging tour when the Judges visit the city on Sunday. It follows the success of last year's Britain in Bloom campaign, where the city was awarded a Gold Award and judged best in the Large City Category.
Coun Ian Ward, Deputy Leader Birmingham City Council said: " The Floral Trail is now a traditional part of the city's calendar, and the creativity and beauty of the displays is a wonderful way to showcase the city and make it an even more pleasant place to visit.
"The success of the Trail is a tribute to the partnership between the Birmingham City Centre Partnership, the city's Parks service, street cleaners, and businesses."
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