Brightening up the community with nearly 2,000 spring bulbs
Our Gardens Team are donating nearly 2,000 spring bulbs to local groups following an online appeal.
The mix of tulips and daffodils were originally due to be planted in flower beds and tubs as part of the annual Woodstock in Bloom event. However, as this year’s festival did not require the full quota, a mini mountain of the bulbs was left over.
So instead, our gardening team invited people to nominate Oxfordshire-based organisations that would benefit from some extra floral colour. Dozens of responses were received and the team have selected 16 worthy causes, which will each receive between 50-200 bulbs.
Among the recipients are the Helen and Douglas House Children’s Hospice, Community First Oxfordshire, Windrush Medical Practice in Witney and Bridewell Organic Gardens.
“We had all these bulbs going spare and we thought it would be nice if we were able to share them out to local organisations,” said Head Gardener Hilary Wood.
“It’s been a tough year for everyone and anything that adds a splash of colour and brightness has got to be a good thing.
“To be honest we weren’t really sure what the reaction would be, but we were inundated with suggestions and it was particularly exciting for me to see how many schools and youth groups were interested – clearly the future of gardening is in safe hands!” she added.
Other successful groups nominated included the Incredible Edible Hook Norton after school gardening club, Stonesfield School forest school, Middle Barton Pre-school and Broadhill Pre-school.
Girlguiding Oxfordshire, Root & Branch Therapeutic Garden, Guideposts Trust, Marston Community Garden, Hanborough Community Association Recreation Hall, Cogges Manor Farm Heritage Trust and Spencer Court care home will also receive their own portion of the bulb mountain.