St. Charles Makes 3rd Consecutive Run for 'America in Bloom' Awards

ST. CHARLES, IL - For the third consecutive year, St. Charles is vying for a national award through the America in Bloom program.

The city's America in Bloom Committee has selected the red geranium as the 2017 flower for St. Charles.

"Be a part of the effort and choose red geraniums when you plant flowers this season!" committee members urged, in a community alert.

Last year, St. Charles received five out of five "blooms" — the highest rating from the America in Bloom Awards Program. Judges also recognized its landscape areas for Outstanding Achievement and bestowed the community with the Best Combination of Plants in Hanging Baskets and Best Use of Local Bloom Committee Logo awards. The emblem was displayed on yard signs placed at tour stops.

From July 13-14, two program judges will be in St. Charles touring local floral displays, landscaped areas and environmental project sites. The American in Bloom program is about more than just flowers, officials said Monday. The judges also will be reviewing St. Charles’ heritage preservation, urban forestry and environmental efforts, in addition to community involvement and overall community impression.

“The initiatives we undertake as part of the America in Bloom program have a positive effect on the entire community. And those effects are longlasting,” said 5th Ward Alderman Maureen Lewis, member of the America in Bloom Committee. “We hope the activities that promote environmentalism and beautification of our community become a part of the culture of St. Charles.”

Volunteers Wanted

Because this is a community wide program, the America in Bloom Committee is seeking volunteers to help with this year’s entry. For more information or to volunteer, contact Diane Cullen at dianelcullen@gmail.com or Maureen Lewis at mlewis@stcharlesil.gov or 630.584.4622.

Image and content via city of St. Charles