People, Plants and Pride Growing Together
Wood Buffalo Communities in Bloom is the local chapter of the national Communities in Bloom program. Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-for-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national competition, with a focus of enhancing green spaces in communities.
The Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo is proud to receive the WinterLife Award in 2020 presented by Municipal World from Communities in Bloom! This award recognized the efforts of staff, council appointed committees, community organizations and countless volunteers in creating initiatives that engaged the community with indoor and outdoor activities from November through March. Some of the activities included Mayor and Council’s Holly Jolly Christmas Party, Santa Claus Parade, Christmas Lights Bus Tour, Santa’s Anonymous, Craze at MacDonald Island Park on New Year’s Eve, WinterPLAY and so much more.
You can check out the complete list of winners by visiting the Communities in Bloom website.
2022 Flower of the Year
Plant red to celebrate the Year of the Garden!
Thank you for voting for the 2022 Flower of the Year. Out of the three flower choices, the community has chosen the Zinnia as this year's Flower of the Year with 43 per cent of the votes.
Cherry Queen Zinnia
Latin Name: Zinnia Elegans
Planting:
Zinnias prefer to be started outdoors 1-2 weeks after the last frost. Seeds can also be started indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting. Select a location with full sun. Plant seeds ¼ inch deep in well-drained regular soil. Space seedlings 25 to 30cm apart. Germination takes 5 to 24 days.
Care:
Water plant regularly at the base. Fertilize lightly. Cut zinnias at the stem to encourage new growth.
About:
Variety includes a bright display of red petals. Suitable for gardens beds and planters. Easy to grow and beautiful as cut flowers. Zinnias attracts butterflies and grows 30” to 40” tall.
Free seed packets are available at the following locations:
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Beacon Hill Food Store
- Caribou Flowers Plants and Gifts
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Fort McMurray Heritage Village Gift Shop
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Lifeforce Herbal Healing Centre
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Mini Green Havens
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Spoiled Rotten
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Sweet Meats Sandwich Bar
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Wood Buffalo Coffee Company
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RMWB Municipal Offices
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RMWB Rural Contact Offices
- RMWB Landfill
Communities in Bloom Judges Visit
Through a friendly, national competition, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo annually welcomes the Communities in Bloom judges to evaluate the community on six key categories. The evaluation categories include the following:
- Floral Displays
- Landscaped Areas
- Heritage Conservation
- Tidiness
- Environmental Action
- Urban Forestry
Volunteer
Helping hands are always appreciated, whether your time commitment is with the Communities in Bloom Committee, or as a casual volunteer. Contact Pulse to find out more.