Edinburgh's floral clock, the famous blooming timepiece in Princes Street Gardens, will kick off the city's bid for this year’s Britain in Bloom.
Each year the working timepiece plays tribute to a special cause with this year being Action on Hearing Loss formerly Royal Institute for Deaf People, who are celebrating their 100th anniversary.
Over recent months more than 30,000 plants including Golden Pyreathum, Iobelia and a range of plants and flowers have been cultivated by the staff of the Inch Nursery for the eye-catching clock.
The clock, on display from July until October each year takes two men five weeks to complete.
This year's Britain in Bloom bid, Edinburgh is competing with Bristol, Milton Keynes and the Borough of Brent (London) in the ‘large city’ category of the Britain in Bloom 2011 contest.
"For over 100 years, the clock has drawn residents and visitors to Princes Street Gardens and is a symbol of civic pride," said The Rt Hon George Grubb, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh.
"This is a fitting tribute and an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of RNID and to look forward to the next 100 years as Action on Hearing Loss. It will also be a focal point for highlighting the many beautiful projects which makes the city the very best at competing in the annual Britain in Bloom competition.”
Staff from Action on Hearing Loss Scotland will also be viewing the finished floral clock for the first time. The organisation works to promote the rights of people who are deaf or hard of hearing and to encourage people to look after their hearing health.
Delia Henry, Director Action on Hearing Loss Scotland added: “We are absolutely delighted, not to mention a little emotional, to see the floral clock completed. It is really fitting as the Lady Provost has had many years experience as a teacher of deaf children. Having the floral clock to celebrate our centenary means that thousands upon thousands of people know that we are working to create a world where hearing loss doesn’t limit or label people, where tinnitus is silenced and where people value and look after their hearing. We have had wonderful support from the City of Edinburgh and we wish them every success in their bid in the Britain in Bloom competition.”
Britain in Bloom is one of the largest and most successful horticultural campaigns in Europe, involving over a thousand communities each year.