Sometimes it takes a Herculean amount of effort to transform a winter-weary outdoor space into a beautifully landscaped garden perfectly pruned for the spring and summer months ahead.
Then, imagine doing this on a much larger scale.
Every year volunteers for Exmouth in Bloom help to inject a welcoming splash of colour to the coastal town with their cleverly designed and well-maintained floral displays.
In 2021, Exmouth in Bloom celebrated its 50th anniversary.
Run by a group of enthusiastic volunteers, it has grown and evolved over the years and works in partnership with local councils and organisations to raise horticultural and environmental awareness in the community and ensure there are floral displays all year round, in and around the town.
We caught up with Exmouth in Bloom champion, Gerry Bassett, to discover more about the group and where they get their ideas for the displays.
Do you work on the displays year-round?
Yes, we do, we have twice monthly work parties on the second and last Sundays of the month, weather permitting. We tend our many displays and planters around the town and undertake maintenance when required. Throughout the year, we hold extra pop-up work parties when the need arises, and even more so when the South West in Bloom judging day approaches each July.
Who comes up with the ideas for the displays?
Most of our ideas are instigated by the committee and volunteers or occasionally by members of the public or the local councils.
What inspires the displays?
Our aim is to ensure that our displays are always as colourful and eye-catching as possible. Apart from our display boat which we plant to commemorate current events such as notable local clubs or organisations anniversaries, all our other displays are planted in the same colours. We purchase all our plants from a local nursery man, who also supplies and fills the Town Council planters, thereby ensuring all displays around the town are colour and plant co-ordinated, for the wow factor.
Is there a display trend for 2023?
In addition to our dedicated colour scheme, this year is Coronation Year, so we are dedicating one of our other boats to King Charles III, which will be planted in red, white, and blue flowers to commemorate this occasion.
Any gardening display tips for our readers?
As we are apparently going to have very hot summers, applying a good layer of mulch around perennials and other plants will help reduce the need for watering. The use of drought-tolerant and, where possible, pollinator-friendly plants will also help the environment.
Tell us about the Exmouth in Bloom volunteers
We currently have more than 70 volunteers including our committee. The volunteers have diverse talents – some help with horticulture, others make jams, marmalade and chutneys, some create items for us to sell, whilst others are happy to man stalls at our fundraising events.
To volunteer, or for more information, see: www.exmouthinbloom.org.uk
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