St Andrews in Bloom hard at work

Hanging baskets – 175, large planters – 17, barrels – 40, miscellaneous – unquantified, number of plants – 5778.

The team took delivery of the tiny plants only recently, but under the glass at the Botanic Garden, they are already ready to be potted on.

In another six weeks the plants will be moved again, out into the planters around the town that St Andrews in Bloom takes care of.

Even before all the work on the annuals started, the team had planted out spring bulbs and plants into many planters, to give the town spring colour to carry through to the summer.

In addition, reported St Andrews in Bloom’s Jenny Sibbald: “Over 2000 daffodils were planted into green spaces around town, with heritage daffodils having recently been planted in Boase Wood, on behalf of St Andrews Preservation Trust.”

Now the target is to have the planting complete in time for the University of St Andrews graduations in June.

As well as more than 200 different types of planters around the town, St Andrews in Bloom also takes care of displays at the bus station and harbour, and undertakes commissions from hotels, pubs, golf clubs and shops.

And once the planting is done, the caring continues as the team ensures the various containers are watered regularly to keep the plants looking their best.

That’s important since the town has a great track record in the Beautiful Fife and Beautiful Scotland contests – and the judges don’t visit until August.

Traditional bedding is still carried out in and around the town by Fife Council.

Jenny Sibbald explained what keeps them going: “As a small but enthusiastic and dedicated team, the love of our town keeps us going.

“It is made worthwhile by the appreciative comments we receive from the townspeople and visitors alike whilst we are working.”

She reminded townsfolk and visitors: “You will recognise us, as we will be wearing our distinctive blue St Andrews in Bloom tabards.”

The team are looking to repeat the successes of the last eight years, which has seen St Andrews’ floral displays take awards in Beautiful Fife, Beautiful Scotland and Britain in Bloom competitions.

Last year alone St Andrews was the overall winner of Beautiful Scotland’s VisitScotland Award for Tourism and picked up four other awards.