25th Anniversary
25th Anniversary Celebration! 
Released Through Weekly Flashback Friday
Segments on Facebook- Spring 2020
#1- A Seed is Planted
In 1993 Denys Hodder and Jenny Crosland visited their son in Lynnwood. When they were in Edmonds, they saw a poster in a downtown shop’s window with a floral display and the words “Edmonds in Bloom” across the top. They assume there’s a “Bloom Program” in Edmonds and ask around about it, having created a Britain in Bloom program, themselves, many years before. When they find out none exists, they asked “Why Not? Edmonds is a perfect town for one.” They speak with Carolyn Johnson, Director of the Visitor’s Bureau, who directs them to Josephine Lloyd, a fellow Brit and bank manager. Carolyn and Josephine both find the idea intriguing.
Remainder of the video- 1996 marked the first Edmonds in Bloom Competition with 108 residents and businesses contributing. KIRO interviews Josephine Fye and Cisco Morris and NW Cable News interviews Denys Hodder.
Please excuse audio quality for portions of the video.
#2- A “Flashback of a Flashback!”
Edmonds in Bloom 20th Anniversary Video. History of Edmonds in Bloom
#3 “Mother” of Edmonds in Bloom Honored by Queen of England
Jenny Crosland, “mother” and co-founder of Edmonds in Bloom, is honored as a Member of the British Empire or MBE by Queen Elizabeth II in the spring of 1997. She is cited for her years of volunteer work, including initiating the London in Bloom Program in the 1960’s and the Britain in Bloom Program, serving as its chairman and national judge. She is appointed to represent Britain as judge for a pan-European competition held with Ireland, the UK, Holland, Germany, France, Austria, Portugal, Hungary and Belgium.
#4- Edmonds in Bloom Competition/Recognition
Edmonds in Bloom has recognized 1,770 outstanding front home gardens and business displays over the years since the first Edmonds in Bloom garden competition in 1996. The first Garden Competition was held in late summer that year, with fourteen judges evaluating 108 garden entries. Judging takes place in three major categories: commercial, multi-family and single-family residential. Ciscoe Morris, Seattle University Grounds & Landscape Manager (at that time) and “broadcast personality”, is one of the judges. A total of 37 prizes are awarded in each category, with a First Place prize of $200. The prizes are given out at the first Garden Party in September from 2-5 pm, held at the Dominican Reflection Center. Early donors include The Wooden Spoon, Teri’s Toy Box, The Papery, Ed Hume Seeds, the Floretum Garden Club and the Edmonds Visitors Bureau. The Garden Competition then changed to Garden Recognition to recognize and thank those that have contributed to the beauty of Edmonds.
#5- Hazel Miller Plaza
In 2012 Edmonds in Bloom contributed $4,000 towards the creation of Hazel Miller Plaza, a gathering place for locals and tourists. In 1946 a gas station was built on this location and In 1973 the property was purchased and became Old Milltown, a retail complex of shops, galleries and restaurants. The gas station became a garden. The city purchased the site in 2008 with the intent of preserving the central downtown open space for community use.
Today the businesses located at Hazel Mill Plaza include Las Brisas, Otherworlds, Canarino Gelato Caffé, and The Cheesmonger’s Table.
Hazel Miller Plaza’s primary contributor was the Hazel Miller Foundation, a private, nonprofit foundation that awards $500,000 in grants each year to charities and other nonprofit organizations in the Edmonds area. Hazel Miller was a long time resident of Edmonds and was 93 when she died in 2009.
#6- The Evolution of a Logo
Below are images of how the Edmonds in Bloom Logo has changed since 1995!
#7- Plant for Mom
Spring Festival/Kids Plant for Mom’s Day
On the first weekend in May of 2000, Edmonds in Bloom held the first Spring Gardening Festival, which was located in downtown Edmonds. Ramona Faires chaired the event. The “Children’s Mother’s Day Basket Planting”, as it was called, was held at the Red Barn at the Edmonds Lumber & Hardware, across the street from the Old Milltown (now Hazel Miller Plaza). The objective the organizers said was “…to create a fun-filled, child and family-oriented annual activity that will grow gardeners for the future, bring people to town and promote the love of floral beauty.” Volunteers helped children plant containers for Mother’s Day with beautiful flowering plants. Several project tables were also set up in the barn for children that included making clay flower pins and buttons. Nineteen merchants joined in the fun by offering bracelet charms and handouts from their stores.
Over the years, the event remained the same, giving budding gardeners the chance to create gifts for their moms with the help of Edmonds in Bloom volunteers. Other locations for the event included the barn next to the old hardware store on 5th Ave and in the building where Horizon Bank used to be. The Spring Gardening Festival was renamed the Spring Planting Festival, then finally Kids Plant for Mom’s Day, to reflect the fact that the event was child-centered and always offered the day before Mother’s Day. It was subsequently moved to the Edmonds Farmers Market, giving it more visibility. Generations of Edmonds’ families have grown up with Kids Plant for Mom’s Day as a favorite annual activity. In 2018, the event hit a record, with almost 200 children planting their Mom’s a beautiful arrangement, selling out in under three hours!
Through the Kids Plant for Mom’s Day event Edmonds in Bloom has introduced thousands of children to the joy of making floral gifts for Mother’s Day.
Year Chairs/Co-Chairs or assistant:
2000 Ramona Faires
2001 Ramona Faires
2002 Ramona Faires/Michele Fellows
2003 Laurie Ware
2005 Karen Keenan
2006 Karen Prater
2007 Karen Keenan/Walter Thompson/
2008 Karen Prater/Walter Thompson
2009 Karen Prater
2010 Todd Waddell
2011 Todd Waddell/Carolyn Brown
2012 Carolyn Brown
2013 Ray & Dorothy Anderson
2014 Ray & Dorothy Anderson
2015 Carol Hayes
2016 Ken Marvel, Terri Alexander
2017 Ken Marvel, Terri Alexander
2018 Maxine Mitchel
2019 Maxine Mitchel
2020 Kate Griffin
2021 Kate Griffin
2022 Kate Griffin
2023 Kate Griffin, Nannette Straw
#8- Spring Basket Planting and Fall Cleanup
Edmonds in Bloom volunteers have transplanted 67,000 seedlings for city baskets and street corner gardens over the years. In the Fall they assist in
removing the spent annuals from the City’s hanging baskets. The plant material is composted and the baskets placed in storage until next spring. Thanks you volunteers for your hard work in the beautification of Edmonds!
#9- Edmonds in Bloom Board History
Thank you to all the wonderful people over the years who have contributed to Edmonds in Bloom with a lot of hard work and passion!
The history of Board Members who volunteered each year since 1995 can be seen HERE
#10- EIB Garden Party History
1995, the First Patron’s Garden Party was offered at the Dominican Reflection Center at Rosary Heights in Woodway, the goal being to raise funds for the organization and for a garden competition the following year. The Garden party was open to the public, with a $35 charge for admittance and catering handled by Nordstrom. A commemorative poster contest is organized by the Edmonds Arts Commission and the winning entry is announced at the Garden Party. The name of this event has changed over the years to ” Awards Celebration” in 2000, “Awards Gala”in 2004, “Annual Reception” in 2010, to its current “Garden Party” in 2017.
#11- Mayor’s proclamation 2015- 20th Anniversary
A Twenty Year Anniversary Celebration of Edmonds in Bloom was held at the Art Works in the spring. The public was invited and it featured displays of the various events and activities. Mayor David Earling read a proclamation, making March 1, 2015 “Edmonds in Bloom Day.
#12- Garden Tours
Edmonds in Bloom Garden Tours
Please help us and share this Virtual Edmonds in Bloom Historical Garden Tour on your Facebook Timeline! Goal is to surpass our annual normal Garden Tour visitors.
Edmonds in Bloom has hosted 152 gardens for the annual Garden Tour and welcomed 11,000 visitors! The First Garden Tour, called “Six Gardens” was held on Sunday, June 22 from 1 to 4 pm and costs $15 for each ticket. Katie Niva was the garden chair. The number of gardens on the tour has ranged from 6 to 10.
This very popular annual event attracts hundreds of visitors to view an array of outstanding gardens in our community.
If you would like your garden to be considered for Edmonds Garden Tour, go to this link for garden tour application and send us your information.
Below are links to albums of prior years of Garden Tours. Unfortunately, this 25th year we have cancelled the Garden Tour out of an abundance of care and concern for the health and safety of the Garden Tour hosts, volunteers, and guests. We hope you enjoy our historical, virtual tour below and we will see you next year!
NOTE!! If you have good photos of prior Garden Tours whereby we are missing years, please contact us. Email timf@edmondsinbloom.com to coordinate getting those photos added to our archive.
2005 – 72 photos
2008 – 28 photos (more needed)
2011 – 159 photos
2012 – 12 photos (more needed)
2013 – 122 photos
2014 – 142 photos
2015 – 80 photos
2016 – 198 photos
2018 – 54 photos
2019 – 200 photos/videos
Summary 25 Years of EIB
- Hosted 152 gardens for the annual Garden Tour and welcomed 11,000 visitors
- Recognized 1,770 outstanding front home gardens and business displays
- Through the Kids Plant for Mom’s Day event, introduced thousands of children to the joy of making floral gifts for Mother’s Day
- Adopted 64 street corner gardens downtown, totaling $23,500- Donated $4,000 to the City of Edmonds for artist-embellished flower basket poles
- Donated $4,000 for the Hazel Miller Plaza renovation project- Sponsored 75 hanging flower baskets for the City of Edmonds, totaling $7,500
- Contributed $5,000 in materials and plants for landscaping and irrigation improvements at the Edmonds Center for the Arts
- Donated $7,000 for landscaping and horticultural projects at Edmonds’ Elementary Schools and Edmonds Community College
- Sponsored $7000 in scholarships for Edmonds high school and community college students pursuing college degrees related to horticulture
- Contributed over $5000 for community projects such as a bench in the new splash area of City Park, landscaping improvements for the Edmonds Library, support for the Edmonds Historical Society and Museum and upgrades for the Kruckeberg Botanical Garden
- Donated $200 to the Chris Guitton memorial at the Civic Playfield
- Volunteers provided thousands of hours of annual assistance to make Kids Plant for Mom’s Day, the Garden Recognition, Garden Tour and Garden Party successful events
- Volunteers transplanted 67,000 seedlings for city baskets and street corner gardens
- Volunteers provided thousands of hours of hands-on help to enhance planting areas at the Edmonds Center for the Arts
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Edmonds, WA 98020
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