'Here's what it takes to make our town bloom'
BBCWhat does it take to make a town shine for the annual RHS Britain in Bloom contest?
And when you have put in hours of work – weeding, dead-heading, tidying and planting – is it nerve-wracking for your efforts to be scrutinised by the competition's judges?
I went for a peep behind the petals to find out how volunteers in Congleton, Cheshire, prepared and how they managed to nab successive gold medals year after year.
"It's just lovely when people have a go, and it doesn't matter if it's not perfect because gardening's not perfect and it's never finished," Patti Pinto, of Congleton In Bloom, told me.
Pinto has been integral to the group's success and has been involved since 2012.
"I don't mind if you're absolutely rubbish, because you learn with us and we all just have a go together," she added.
It was a team effort, she said, although they had been particularly well supported by the town council and the William Dean Trust.
We met at one of the group's latest projects, located at the side of the new diagnostic centre at Congleton War Memorial Hospital.
There are planted borders and a rockery as well as an orchard – with a lot of the work being done by local schools, Rotary and other community groups.
Margaret Gartside, who has been a volunteer for about 10 years, said she had noticed other towns had more recently set up their own "In Bloom" groups, perhaps inspired by Congleton's success.
"It's a nice way to get out and meet people and enjoy the fresh air and the sunshine," she said.
Sue Conway said she got involved after she retired eight years ago, having previously worked in an office that backed onto a community garden, which she had often thought about getting involved in sprucing up.
When it came to the RHS judging, she said: "We know we do our best, and we do what we can."
"It's nice to get feedback from them and they generally appreciate what we're doing, so I'm not nervous", she added.
Janet Peters, a volunteer of more than six years, conceded it could become almost a round-the-clock job when judging approaches.
She brought her love of gardening at home as well as her professional expertise in floristry to the group.
She said the judges were friendly, however, and they liked to see how things had grown or progressed over time.
"I think they enjoy coming, we always look after them – we give them a nice breakfast and a nice lunch, I think that's one of the bonuses."
The blushes came during the awards dinners, she admitted.
"We're always a bit embarrassing because we always have a quite splendid collection of trophies.
"Sometimes we're on a table with some really enthusiastic people and they get one trophy - and we're cringing, somewhat embarrassing."
Pinto admitted she did enjoy winning, but that it was the opportunity to build friendships and the benefit to the wider community that motivated her most.
"It's all about encouraging people and sharing your ideas," she said.
A lot of their projects are created with a theme or thoughtfully incorporate aspects of the town's heritage – Elizabeth's Garden, for instance, honours local activist Elizabeth Wolstenholme Elmy.
Their garden at the hospital includes four inscribed blocks from a now-demolished building on the site.
They have also created dedicated spaces around the town for pollinators and have also planted edibles.
"The logan berries are gorgeous," Pinto told me.
The group has been awarded best large town in the North West eight times since it was established in 1998, and has been awarded gold in the contest every year since 2012.
The town has also represented the region several times in the national Britain In Bloom awards.
This summer they will be looking to extend that record – and their trophy cabinet – even further.
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