City of Springfield is entering the 2009 America In Bloom competition. America in Bloom (AIB) is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization encouraging nationwide beautification programs, personal and community involvement and educational programs. Springfield, which will be participating in the 100,000 to 300,000 category, will play host to judges this summer for this competition so we want you to help Springfield win!

E-mail us to find out more about how you can get involved in this beautification endeavor. Committees are meeting monthly to ready the city in areas of:

• Floral Displays
• Environmental Awareness
• Landscaped Areas
• Tidiness
• Urban Forestry
• Heritage Preservation
• Turf and Groundcovers
• Community Involvement

Appointed by Mayor Davlin in 2008, Community Chair Lisa Ellis, who is also Director of Marketing for Illinois National Bank, is being charged with overseeing a network of volunteers and business leaders in the City’s effort to inventory our community and prepare for the national judging.

There are many ways that you can help ready the city … here are just a few:

1. Plant recommended perennials, annuals and trees this fall. Plant the Town Red is the official theme of the AIB beautification effort. There’s still plenty of time this fall to add a splash of red to your spring and summer gardens with dozens of Red Oxford Tulips or Pardon Me Daylilies. Nearly any perennial in your garden today can be split and replanted in a new location as well. October is also prime time for tree planting – some suggestions include Prairifire flowering crab, Autumn Blaze or Red Sunset Maples. Visit local nurseries for guidance about the trees and plants that will work best for your yard. See our extensive recommended plant list here. Want to mimic downtown Springfield’s container plantings? Click here to see the seasonal plant list.
2. Start thinking about how to include both annual and perennial combinations for summer color in your 2009 garden. From Astilbe to Verbena, Coral Bells and Knock Out Roses, we’re eager to see not only red, but some great perennial-annual combinations to welcome the AIB judges whenever they arrive. It isn’t necessary to destroy your current garden – just look for ways to enhance it with bright colors for a bold statement! Refer to the University of Illinois Extension’s Horticulture website for more ideas and advice on planting.
3. Share your enthusiasm with friends, neighbors, civic groups. Tell a friend about this program and encourage their participation.  Consider teaming up with neighbors to plant the boulevard or plant with a theme across several yards. Split your perennials and bulbs and share them with others for their yards. Post your items to share or request what you’re looking for on Springfield In Bloom’s Trading Post page. It’s easy and free!
4. Clean up everything. Springfield is a city with a litter problem and we are each part of the solution.    Tidy up your alley, the school yard where your kids play.  Organize a cleanup day in your neighborhood.  Remind smokers that butts don’t belong in the street. Consider getting involved with the Springfield Green Adopt-a-Street Program.  Reserve the Springfield Park Foundation’s Community Tool Wagon and get all the supplies you need to revamp your block and common ground areas. Shovels, rakes, gloves and more—it’s fully equipped. They’ll even drop it off at your work site and it’s FREE. Email Doug Reynolds or call him at (217) 553-1329 for reservation info.
5. Send us your story. A big part of preparing for the America in Bloom judges’ visit is documenting the projects, programs and participation going on around the city. If you are doing something good, tell us about it! Send essays, pictures and more to info@springfieldinbloom.org.