Vince Skinner, whose family have been Professional Growers for 150 years, has some tips for the Shirley in Bloom Competition.
What about geraniums for long lasting colour. I’ve just got mine out of the greenhouse where I overwinter them. You can see the many colours. The ivy leaf varieties can be used both in tubs and hanging baskets. Or try fuchsias. Some varieties are hardy so will come up each year.
Roses are also a great choice. You can see I grow mine in large pots so I can rotate them when a shrub is no longer in flower to provide a constant display. You many have other flowers in large pots in your back garden. Bring them all round to the front to add to your display.
You may impress the judges if you have the rose ‘Shirley’ in your mix. It looks like this.
Any other gaps can be filled with bedding plants. You can find many varieties already in flower. Keep them watered.
Finally, tidy up your hedges, deadhead your flowers and mow the lawn. Smarten up your beds with bark chips and help keep the watering down.
Good Luck.