Bloomfield Contest Seeks To Name ‘Official Town Flower’

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — They’re easy to grow, native to the area and perennial. And each has a shot of becoming Bloomfield’s “official town flower.”

The Bloomfield Beautification Committee recently announced that it is launching a contest to decide that very title, with four flowers up for nomination:

• Cardinal Flower – “This woodland native attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds with its bright scarlet color. It prefers to grow in shady, moist areas, but can manage in part shade or sun. It blooms from June to September.”
• Phlox – “These garden favorites produce clusters of fragrant blooms, in white and shades of red, pink and violet, from July to September. They grow on stalks up to 3 feet tall, and prefer full sun. They attract a wide range of pollinators.”
• New York Aster – “These attractive flowers are just getting started when others are finishing up for the year. They bloom from August to October and attract bees and butterflies. New York Aster works well in a container garden.”
• Black-eyed Susan – “Most people are familiar with Black-eyed Susans with their cheerful dark centers and bright yellow petals. They bloom from June to August and do best in full sun. They attract pollinators and do well as cut flowers.”

The chosen flower will be planted throughout Bloomfield’s public gardens, and residents will be encouraged to plant them in their own gardens as well. The Bloomfield Beautification Committee vetted each flower for ease of growth and care, and all are both native and perennial plants.

The competition is open to all residents and will run until March 31. The official flower will be named by proclamation of the mayor and council in April.

To cast a vote or for more information, click here.

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