Skip to content

Blooming community celebrates with annual Flower Count

Over 138 million flowers were counted in Greater Victoria in 2017
10807723_web1_180227-OBN-M-69485oakbayOBGrahamBellflowercountPMar1816
Oak Bay resident Graham Bell finds the climate more conducive to an early spring uprising here. Just a couple of degrees seems to make a difference between Oak Bay and the locale of Butchart Gardens where Bell honed his flower skills working in public relations until a few years ago. (Oak Bay News file photo)

While much of Canada battles sub-zero temperatures, Greater Victoria ebbs toward spring, it’s time to count our blessings.

The Butchart Gardens and Tourism Victoria’s 43rd annual Flower Count runs March 7 to 14. The organizations jointly referred to the count as a “lighthearted and fun-filled event” way to promote Greater Victoria’s mild climate and foster community spirit.

RELATED: Don’t focus on the crocus; Trees are the key to counting blooms in the billions

People of all ages and in all of the region’s jurisdictions are encouraged to get involved, and a friendly competition sees the municipality with the highest count being crowned with the title, “Bloomingest Community.”

In 2017, the City of Colwood took first place with more than 64 million blooms, while the City Victoria was next with over 30 million. Cordova Bay elementary earned the “Winning School” honours by tallying 23.4 million blooms on their own. In all, the 2017 event saw nearly 139 million blossoms counted.

Visit FlowerCount.com to enter your counts, and for more information on how to count blossoms. As well, you can submit your photos on social media using the hashtag #FlowerCount.


 
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.