Middleton in Bloom looks to the future with perennial planting

MIDDLETON-IN-TEESDALE is taking a more permanent approach to its annual entry into an environmental competition this year.
The village won gold in last year’s Northumberland in Bloom competition after impressing the judges with a colourful display of flowers and woollen ornaments.
But now the team behind the village entry want to go one better by planting greenery that does not have to be replaced with new seedlings each year. Perennials being put into planters around the village include crocosmia, heuchera and vinca.
Competition team member Pam Phillips said: “We are going more for permanent plants. The Royal Horticultural Society are going for that sort of thing and it is cheaper in the long run.”
The new plants were made possible through a £300 contribution from the neighbourhood budgets of county councillors Richard Bell and Ted Henderson.
A further gift of rhododendrons from a family who moved house in the village has been put to good use to beautify the area around the public toilets.
Ms Phillips said work was ongoing to dig up some of the plants, divide them and plant them on. She added that the group is desperately in need of the use of a heated greenhouse and urged anyone in the village with one to contact her on 01833 640631.
People can also support Middleton-in-Bloom by joining in a coffee morning at the Masonic Hall, on April 22, from 10am to noon. Book and plants stalls will form part of the event.