Beautiful front gardens are usually the first thing people notice about a property when out strolling or driving by Swansea homes during the summer months.
Whether it’s an ornately kept lawn or a spectacular floral arrangement, the art of gardening rarely fails to catch the eye and inspire the imagination.
And now the chance is there for keen Swansea gardeners to be recognised for their talents and hard work thanks to the return of the annual Swansea in Bloom competition.
The competition is now in its 17th year and was originally set up by a voluntary committee to encourage more floral displays in the city.
Best front garden and best container frontage are two of the categories that have again returned for 2010.
Josephine Ashman, of Knoyle Drive in Treboeth, won the best front garden category last year.
She said: “I’ve been entering the Swansea in Bloom competition for the last five years or so but I’ve been an active gardener for the last decade.
“It’s wonderful to plant seeds and see the process through from start to finish and being out in the garden is a wonderful form of exercise.
“It’s a busy time of year in the build-up to Swansea in Bloom and my greenhouse is now bulging with plants ready to be introduced to the front garden.
“The winter was a tough time for many gardeners but I’m entering the competition again this year and look forward to taking part.”
Kindhearted Josephine is looking to raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support by opening up her garden to the public on July 4 between noon and 6pm.
Swansea in Bloom is free to enter and everyone who submits their forms will be sent a starter pack full of top tips and ideas to help them on their way.
Other categories include best allotment plot, best new entrant, best pub, best restaurant, best cafe, the green gardener award and the young gardeners sunflower competition.
People can either put themselves forward for a category or nominate others.
A deadline of Friday July 2 has been set for entries and people are encouraged to use environmentally-friendly methods.
Judging will then take place throughout the month before a ceremony for gold, silver, bronze and commended winners is held later in the year.
Swansea Council organises Swansea in Bloom.
All Swansea in Bloom entrants will also receive a 10 per cent discount at the Friends of Botanics Plant Sales held every Saturday until September 25 between 10am to 2pm at the Botanical Gardens in Singleton Park.
Have a look at www.breatheswansea.com for more information or call 01792 635124.
All entries received before Friday June 4 will be entered into a prize draw with prizes including an overnight stay and meal for two in the 5-star Morgans Hotel, four tickets to see a repertory show at Swansea Grand Theatre and four tickets to Outdoor Shakespeare.
Swansea Council would like to thanks this year’s sponsors of Swansea in Bloom: Swansea Sound, Swansea Grand Theatre, Morgans Hotel, The South Wales Evening Post, Fforestmill Garden Centre, the Quadrant Shopping Centre, the White House Hotel and Bizzie Lizzies Bistro.
