Green-fingered members of Chester Zoo’s horticultural and botany teams have been recognised in a regional awards scheme for their floral finesse.
The zoo – home to more than 2,000 plant species – was voted the Best Large Tourist Attraction of the Year at the 2015 Royal Horticultural Society’s North West in Bloom Awards.
Plants on display to visitors range from the threatened black poplar which is native to the UK, to the exotic pitcher plants from South-East Asia.
Mark Hargreaves, horticulturist team manager at the zoo, said: “To be acknowledged for the tremendous work our teams put into the gardens here at Chester is really, really pleasing.
“The zoo is a unique place and the diverse range of plants we have both on and off-show to visitors gives us plenty to work with when creating new environments.
“The zoo is very well known for its animal conservation work but it shouldn’t be forgotten that we also conserve the habitats where animals live – many of which can be just as endangered.
“It’s important that we put a spotlight on the threats that plant species around the world face. For example, the zoo is home to the second largest flower in the world, the titan arum.”
Britain in Bloom is one of the longest-running environmental competitions in the United Kingdom, with regional competitions being held to celebrate achievements in three core themes: horticultural excellence, environmental responsibility and community participation.
Since 1964, communities from across the North West have demonstrated their ability to create and maintain attractive environments that benefit residents and visitors alike.
The awards aim to encourage communities to improve and care for the local environment through imaginative planting of trees, shrubs, flowers and landscapes, as well as conservation and recycling efforts.
The winners of this year’s prestigious awards were announced at an evening at Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.
