Harrogate may have been relegated from football’s professional structure this year, but the town remains among the frontrunners in the floral Premier League.

Flowers are as much a part of Harrogate as Bettys and the Great Yorkshire Show.

The home of RHS Harlow Carr, twice winner of the Entente Floral — otherwise known as Europe in Bloom — and host of two major annual flower shows, it’s impossible to think of Harrogate without its spring cherry blossom, crocuses on the Stray and dazzling town centre displays.

With expectations high, there was tension in the air today (July 7) when the judges arrived to assess the town’s entry for this year’s Yorkshire in Bloom contest.

But thanks to the efforts of the dozens of voluntary groups that make up Harrogate in Bloom, this was peak Harrogate.

Geraniums and false sunflowers lined West Park, eight large displays for Harrogate Business Improvement floral summer of celebration were dotted around the town centre and barely a weed could be seen.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret after being whisked around the town's floral hotspots, judge Steve Bumby said Harrogate’s reputation was “well deserved”, adding: “What we have seen today is an excellent standard.”

There’s more than civic pride at stake. Winning In Bloom competitions “encourages visitors and secondary spending”, Mr Bumby added.

Success isn’t just about nice flowers. The judging consists of three elements: horticulture, environment and community.

Fellow judge Karen Ellis added: “The whole idea is to celebrate green spaces, make local areas more diverse and protect wildlife.”

The variety of groups belonging to Harrogate in Bloom ranges from large organisations such as North Yorkshire Council, Harrogate Flower Shows and Harrogate Business Improvement District to small voluntary organisations such as Horticap, Friends of Valley Gardens and Harrogate Stray Association.

Chris Beard, treasurer of Harrogate in Bloom, said the town started entering In Bloom contests in 1975 after watching Knaresborough do well. “It’s been a marketing tool for many years”, he said.

Harrogate in Bloom now has its own awards recognising schools, community groups and businesses that go that extra mile to brighten their environment.

Nick Smith, director of Harrogate Flower Shows, said In Bloom has “gone from being about lovely displays to celebrating the community, schools and shops”, adding: “That’s so important because that’s what will keep horticulture relevant for years to come.”

Harrogate in Bloom president Pam Grant reiterated this when she praised the community effort that went into making Harrogate look special.

In between a quick lunch stop at the West Park Centre, the judges also assessed Yorkshire in Bloom entries today from Harrogate BID, Starbeck in Bloom and Valley Gardens.

With so many people making so much effort, Harrogate really was at its best today.