What started as a legacy project from Esquimalt’s 2012 Centennial year is blossoming into an online celebration of colour and community.
Bloomin’ Beautiful was established as a means for residents and businesses to showcase the pride they have in their properties. It started as a friendly competition with a volunteer panel of judges, resulted in neighbours highlighting the tremendous care and attention residents put into their gardens, and evolved over the years into Esquimalt’s own Bloomin’ Beautiful local garden tour.
Now, in light of COVID-19, the evolution continues and the Township is bringing the showcase online. This online format falls on the heels of Esquimalt’s celebration of Earth Day. Like Bloomin’ Beautiful, the community event was shifted to a virtual format to allow the community to participate while respecting physical distancing.
“It’s important to us to maintain these treasured community events as much as possible,” said Mayor Barbara Desjardins. “Esquimalt is still a connected community that celebrates our neighbours; we’re just doing it a little differently for now.”
Residents and businesses can go to esquimalt.ca/blooming for videos, photos, tips and tricks with fun and useful information like how to grow and maintain plants in the local climate. Community members can also share their favourite photos from their gardens to the Township’s online collection, providing local inspiration to your neighbours.