Style Birmingham

Birmingham is turning blooming lovely as a series of 19 flower arrangements – some celebrating the city’s status as one of the UK’s leading shopping destinations – are created around the centre.

The organic sculptures are for the national finals of this year’s RHS Britain in Bloom competition and form a 3.5 mile floral trail. A variety of giant wicker features, such as a hat (pictured left), handbag and shoes, will hopefully catch the national judges’ eyes when they visit in August. Also featured is a stunning tribute in Great Charles Street to Wallace and Gromit (main picture), who celebrate their 20th anniversary this year.

Led by Birmingham City Centre Partnership, the Floral Trail is made up of  environmental displays and community projects, complementing the “local roots” theme of this year’s competition. Seven displays along the Trail relate to Birmingham industrialist Matthew Boulton, who died 200 years ago. There will also be a floral Mini in Victoria Square to mark the 50th anniversary of the iconic, Longbridge-built car and the 40th anniversary of the film The Italian Job, in which the Mini played a prominent role.

Hilary Hall, Chair of the City Centre Floral Trail Steering Group, said: “It is wonderful to see Birmingham city centre coming alive in colourful, eye-catching floral displays and sustainable environmental projects, such as a Dry Garden by the Copthorne Hotel and the planting of a wild flower meadow by children at St Patrick’s Catholic Primary School in Dudley Road. Britain in Bloom is about more than flowers; it’s about how we treat our environment and make the most of what we have. And what we have in Birmingham is a multi-cultural tapestry that brings together green issues and colourful floral displays.”

Walking maps will be available from tourist information centres and Central Library from July and can also be downloaded at www.birmingham.gov.uk/floraltrail.