Marking a remarkable 60 years’ of RHS Britain in Bloom, this year’s South West in Bloom Awards were hosted in the beautiful city of Bath.

Comprising the counties of Devon, Cornwall, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire, South West in Bloom is one of sixteen regional competitions that make up the national Britain in Bloom - now the biggest horticultural campaign in Europe!

Expecting tough competition, Team SWISCo headed to Bath hoping to win something, but determined to enjoy the day amongst fellow horticulturists, regardless.

Following inspiring morning talks from the legendary Jim Buttress who has won eight gold medals at Chelsea and Tom Harty Dyke the pioneering plant hunter who has led expeditions worldwide, the afternoon was given over to the serious business of the awards.

And, suddenly, Team SWISCo were off and running with golds awarded for Paignton and Torquay in Bloom, together with an additional Winners Award by sponsor, Tesco, for Torquay in Bloom. Receiving the awards was made all the sweeter by the support in the room from Torbay’s local volunteer groups, such as The Babbacombe Bay Bloomers, many of whom were receiving their own Gold awards.

But the best was yet to come...

Just nine months after it was first planted out, amidst considerable controversy, the Italian Gardens on Torquay seafront won the prestigious ABBISS CUP for the best horticultural display. This award is given to a specific municipal display and must consist of a mix of annual/biannual/perennial planting, together with trees and shrubs, set in a hard or soft landscape. The quality of plants, variety of species, and the imaginative use of them is of particular importance in this award - as is the level of horticultural excellence. 

Clearly, the judges were so impressed by the Italian Garden that one award was not enough and it then received an additional award, The Plantscape Coastal Trophy, for the best seaside entry!

Parks Service Manager, Mark Hackett, said:

‘We couldn’t have asked for more, I’m quite overcome. We worked so very hard on the Italian Garden and always knew the end result would be something quite stunning, but we had to convince the public first.'

'And I also wanted to give a big thank the volunteer groups who have helped us and given their invaluable input and ideas’  he added.

Councillor Adam Billings, said:

‘I am extremely proud that Torbay has won four separate awards for the quality of its flowerbeds and horticultural displays at the Royal Horticultural Society’s Britain in Bloom Awards.

Receiving two separate awards for the replanting of our much-loved Italian Gardens, which won best horticultural display and best seaside entry, is an outstanding result which reflects the effort which went into the gardens.

These high-quality gardens can be enjoyed by both our residents and tourists visiting our bay. This links directly into the English Riviera Destination Management plan, whereby enhancing our natural environment and creating beautiful landscapes, we broaden the year-round appeal of the bay and attract more visitors.'

With a spring in their step and Spring planting uppermost on their minds, Team SWISCo look forward to creating more plant-based beauty in Torbay and so further realise the English Riviera Bid’s vision of making Torbay a year-round destination.