Note: America in Bloom judges will visit Bluffton July 19-20. To help viewers understand the Bloom judging process, each week on the Icon the Bluffton in Bloom committee will describe one of the "Bloom" categories. Questions can be emailed to BlufftonInBloom@gmail.com.

Two judges from America in Bloom will visit Bluffton on July 19-20 to evaluate our town. They will judge Bluffton on several categories.

Last week Celebrating Heritage was highlighted.  The final category to be reviewed by the judges is Flowers, which is defined as:  “Flowering annuals, perennials, bulbs, tropical plants, flowering topiaries, and colorful foliage and/or cut plant material for season-round interest in containers, hanging baskets, window boxes, raised planters, trellises, and in-ground beds.”

How would you rank Bluffton on these Flowers items?
• Action plan developed each season for procurement, scheduling, planting, and maintenance of flower displays
• Seasonal Displays: Seasonal displays with spring, summer, fall, and/or holiday displays
• Watering program to maintain growth in place
• Flower displays are funded all or in part by volunteer contributions
• Volunteers participate in the design, planting, and/or care of flower displays
• Civic groups, garden clubs, Master Gardeners, school programs, etc. sponsor plant sales, plant swaps, or educational sessions that contribute to the quality and implementation of the community’s flower displays

Last year was the first year that Bluffton participated in the America in Bloom program, earning three out of five possible blooms.  Bluffton earned an Outstanding Achievement Award for Floral Displays in 2017. 

This year, Bluffton in Bloom has been created to make Bluffton a more welcoming village for our residents and neighbors through charitable contributions that benefit our heritage, gardens, parks, trees, clean environment, health and fitness, schools and businesses, ensuring future community vitality and prosperity.

Bluffton in Bloom Committee
Bloom committee members are Tom Schmidt, chair, Nancy Benroth, Denise Fett, Becky Ramey and Mark Simmons. Jesse Blackburn, village administrator, is the village liaison to the committee.

CLICK HERE for previous articles in this series.