Registration for this year’s Australian Local Government Flower Garden Awards will remain open until the end of the year so that councils will have maximum opportunity to enter.
“We already have several registrations from councils around Australia and many enquiries, but it appears that many are waiting to see how good their gardens are going to be and enter later in the year,” said Awards Coordinator, Neville Sloss. “Originally we had asked for registrations by July 1, but it appears that most entries will be spring/summer gardens. With many councils currently planning their plantings now, this will allow them to register right through until their gardens are looking their best.”
First held in 2004, the awards are organised every two years by Bedding Plants Australia, the national association of seedling and flowering bloomer growers, and jointly sponsored by Toro Australia, a world leader in the design and manufacture of automated irrigation systems and commercial turf maintenance equipment. They are endorsed by the Australian Local Government Association.
Criteria and entry are simple. Gardens or plantings need to include at least a majority planting of flowering annuals and need to be ‘waterwise’. Entries must be in by 20 January 2007, with winners announced in March 2007.
“The entry process is very simple – all that is required is a brief description of the garden preparations and a series of photographs to show it at its best,” Neville Sloss said.
Each State winner will receive a framed certificate, a plaque for display at the site of the winning garden and $1,000 value of seedlings and irrigation product. The National winner will receive a further $2,000 of seedlings and irrigation products, as well as registration for a representative to attend the National Conference of Nursery and Gardening Industry Australia in March/April 2007.
For further information visit the website at www.beddingplants.com.au or a brochure can be obtained by emailing mail@beddingplants.com.au
