Mile of Flowers Business Awards

The Blowing Rock Garden Club sponsored the first Mile of Flowers Business Awards for having store front displays with the Mile of Flowers event theme. Awards were given to three stores that encompassed the Mile of Flowers theme with meaningful layers, colors and rustic elements. Judging was done by Blowing Rock Garden Club’s Chairperson, Anne Tarbutton, and the treasure, Barbara Ballesty. All recipient’s received flower wall hangings in addition to first place receiving a $100 gift card to Chetola Resort, second place a free landscaping consultation and third place a $30 gift card to The Mustard Seed.

1^st Place was awarded to Mountain Laurel Floristry. The displayed Mile of Flowers enthusiasm with a window display featuring hand-crafted paper flowers promoting the Mile of Flowers event. As well as their courtyard full of flower pots with intricate layering of greenery. The window boxes on their store front had rustic elements to them bringing home Blowing Rock’s mountain heritage.

2^nd Place was awarded to Monkee’s of Blowing Rock. Anne Tarbutton and Barbara Ballesty of the Blowing Rock Garden club appreciated Monkee’s flower pots welcoming shop-goers into their store. The bright blue flower pots varied in height and were full of textures greenery. Along the side of the store the garden is more natural, maintained by SouthMarke owners, Karyn and Dieter Herterich. And you can’t forget to take a look at the monkey topiary hanging from a tree.

3^rd Place was awarded to J McLaughlin for their beautiful bourbon barrel planter. The planter displays different heights of greenery paired with birch tree twigs for texture. The bourbon barrel is large in size and fits perfectly in the entry way into the store. The Mile of Flower judges found the single display to be stunning in size and height while encompassing the perfect mountain home feel.

Honorable mentions go to three downtown business for their mix of colors and layering in their window displays. In no particular order the Mile of Flower judges appreciated Vincent Properties beautiful window flower boxes, Neacos modern touch of color and heights in their planter box, and Six Pence Pub for their window box with birch tree elements.