Best Blooms: GPCF Beautification Committee names contest winners
Agnes Rinehart received a special award for the Most Beautiful Garden in this year's Polson in Bloom contest. (Jane Larson photo)
Twila and West Delaney of Delaney’s Landscape Center which won first place for in the business category for Polson in Bloom. (Jane Larson photo)
Nancy Luiso's home took first place in the Polson in Bloom Residence category. (Jane Larson photo)
Twenty-one beautiful yards were nominated for the 2023 Polson in Bloom contest sponsored by the Beautification Committee of the Greater Polson Foundation. Street appeal, color, unique variety and originality were among aspects of the gardens considered for recognition.
Business Winners:
First place: Delaney’s Landscape Center on Hwy. 35
Second place: Bayside Riser – Jade Newman: flowers in pots and a mixed flower display graces what was once a weedy slope on Hwy. 93
Third place: Cotter Law Downtown Polson
Private Residences:
First place: Nancy Luiso at 108 Mission Bay Dr.
Second place: George and Sandy Huntley and Raina Yarbrough’s two yards next door to each other at Hillside Court (mother and daughter).
Third place: Bob and Dodie Carlson, Hillside Court.
Judges’ Special Recognition honors went to three stunning yards next door to one another on Long Lake Drive: Jim and Joanne Simpson, Linda Reksten and Karen and Richard Fisher. Agnes Rinehart was given the special award of the Most Beautiful Garden. Her gardens are located at 1503 11th Ave. E.
According to committee members, everyone who pulls a weed, picks up a bit of trash or plants a flower to enhance the beauty of their neighborhood is a winner. They praised the person who planted bright orange/yellow California poppies along the Demer’s Heights hillside that add a delightful bit of color that’s visible from Skyline Drive.
They also recognized Alice Rautio, who selected spectacular cultivars for the flower baskets and pots that welcome people to Blue Willow Massage Therapy along Hwy. 93, and Twila and Wes Delaney of Delaney Landscape Center who installed the Bubblegum Petunias at the intersection of Hwy. 93 and 35.
“The welcome cheers everyone who drives by and announces that Polson is a community worthy of a visit,” said committee members.
Nearly 100 hanging flower baskets that adorn the streets downtown are made possible through donations from businesses and interested people. This year the city no longer had staffing to water the baskets – a project taken on by the Greater Polson Foundation, which now collects donations and arranges for watering once a day (twice in extremely hot weather). The intersection bump-outs are maintained by diligent volunteers and are watered weekly along with the baskets. The water is provided by the city.
Tax deductible donations to help with this community-wide project can be made to the Greater Polson Foundation at 406-883-4723.
Those who have, or know of, a yard of equal or greater beauty than those honored this year are encouraged to nominate that eye-catching display next year and provide an address so that the judges can find it. The Polson Beautification Committee needs new eyes. To volunteer call: Agnes Rinehart, 406-883-1842; Jane Larson, 406-240-9714; or Mary Jensen 406-849-5288.
