Flower Boxes Planted Along Hilliard Boulevard [Photos]

WESTLAKE, OH — Volunteers planted flowers in beds built along Hilliard Boulevard over the weekend.

The beds are part of the Hilliard Boulevard Flower Box project. Wood-based boxes are constructed along the street and residents sponsor each bed. Sponsors buy and plant an average of six to eight flats of annual flowers each year.

Sponsors also provide an average of four to six bags of wood chips to keep the water moist during the growing season. Each flower bed is 4 feet by 8 feet in size, according to the city.

Once the beds are planted, city crews provide watering, weeding and basic care during the growing season (June to October) and then remove the plants when the season is over. Each flower box is automatically entered into the "Westlake in Bloom" competition.

This year's Westlake in Bloom entries will be judged July 6-8.

"First, second, third place awards will be selected in all categories that meet the minimum scores listed below. Every Hilliard Boulevard flower box, Evergreen Cemetery memorial fence garden, UHSJMC/City of Westlake Community Garden plot, and Adopt-a-Bed Garden will be entered automatically in the judging," the city said in a statement.