Communities in Bloom (CiB) is a provincial and national program that inspires communities to enhance their natural and built environments through beautification, sustainability, and civic pride. Municipalities of all sizes are evaluated annually on their efforts to improve the quality of life for residents through environmental stewardship, heritage conservation, and landscape enhancement.

Participating communities are evaluated by trained judges on six core criteria:

1. Community Appearance
2. Environmental Action
3. Heritage Conservation
4. Urban Forestry
5. Landscape
6. Floral Displays

Each category is scored based on community involvement, municipal leadership, and innovative approaches to local challenges. Communities are awarded a “Bloom Rating” (1 to 5 Blooms) based on their performance, with opportunities for special recognitions and national-level advancement.

The program’s goals include:

• Encouraging collaboration between residents, businesses, and local government
• Inspiring environmental and cultural initiatives
• Enhancing civic pride and volunteerism
• Supporting tourism and economic development
• Celebrating community strengths and sharing best practices across the country

Why It Matters:
Taking part in Communities in Bloom provides tangible and lasting benefits. Communities experience stronger volunteer engagement, greener public spaces, revitalized downtowns, and a stronger sense of identity. It's about more than flowers—it's about connection, pride, and sustainable growth.

August 17- September 21, 2026

Theme: Therapeutic North Grenville

We’re inviting residents to help capture the beauty of North Grenville! Submit your best photos that reflect the spirit of our community and the themes that align with our Communities in Bloom journey.

Photo Categories:
Gardens & Floral Displays

Local Heritage
Landscapes
Urban Forestry & Trails
Therapeutic Garden Escapes (2026 Theme!)

Photos submitted will be used to:

• Beautify our Communities in Bloom Profile Book
• Promote North Grenville in public campaigns
• Feature on our @NorthGrenvilleInBloom social media
• Celebrate our community in local and national submissions

Prizes will be awarded for first-place winners and runners-up in each category. A special “People’s Choice” Award will be selected through online voting on the North Grenville in Bloom Facebook page.

Deadline to submit: September 21, 2026

Grow your green thumb with a little help from North Grenville in Bloom!
In partnership with the North Grenville Public Library, we’re offering free Gardening Kits to borrow and use at home. These kits are designed to help beginners get started, encourage hands-on learning, and promote a love of gardening throughout the community.

What’s in the Kit?

• Adult and child-sized gardening gloves
• Sturdy hand trowel
• Plant markers (reusable, to keep)
• Watering can or spray bottle
• Laminated beginner guide and planting chart
• Fun gardening activity sheet

Where to Get It:
Visit the North Grenville Public Library to check out a kit just like you would a book!

Please Note:
Kits are intended for temporary use and must be returned to the library so others can enjoy them too. Help us keep this community program growing strong by returning all items in good condition.
Whether you’re planting in a pot, a patch, or a raised bed this kit is your perfect place to start.

North Grenville in Bloom is excited to launch the Fruit Tree Map & Pollination Initiative which is a community-driven project that helps residents understand one simple but powerful fact: pollination is local.

Most fruit trees (like apples, pears, plums, and cherries) need a pollination partner within 50–100 metres to produce fruit. That means what your neighbours grow directly affects your harvest and vice versa!

🌸 What Makes This Map Special: The Pollination Radius

The heart of this project is our interactive pollination radius map.

When you register your fruit tree, it will appear on the map with a visible pollination radius circle (50–100 metres) around it. This lets everyone see who has trees close enough to be potential pollination partners.

With this map you can:

✔️ See if your tree has nearby pollination partners
✔️ Help neighbours pollinate their trees by planting the right species
✔️ Decide what type of tree to plant next, based on what’s already growing nearby
✔️ Build stronger local ecosystems and better fruit yields across the community

How It Works

• Register your tree (apple, pear, cherry, plum, serviceberry, etc.)
• Choose what you’re comfortable with:
  ✅ Pollination partner only
  ✅ Seed sharing
  ✅ Fruit picking (by request)
• Your tree (and its pollination radius) appears on the community map
• Optional: Get a small “Pollination Partner” yard sign to identify your tree

Why This Matters

• Increases natural pollination and biodiversity
• Helps local food systems thrive
• Connects gardeners, growers, and curious new tree planters
• Supports environmental stewardship and community resilience

Pollination Quick Tips

• Most apples, pears, plums, and cherries need a different, compatible tree nearby for pollination
• Tree distance matters: The closer, the better—within 50–100 metres
• Encourage pollinators: Plant wildflowers, avoid pesticides, and provide habitat for bees and beneficial insects
• Not all trees can pollinate each other: Some varieties require very specific partners (e.g., Japanese vs. European plums)

Get on the Map📍

Help us grow North Grenville’s pollinator-friendly, fruit-filled future!

Register your tree today by this form: https://form.jotform.com/251355668780063

View the map and see your neighbourhood’s pollination network: Fruit Tree Map

Together, let’s make every tree count.

Protecting North Grenville’s natural beauty starts with knowing what doesn’t belong.

Invasive plant species are one of the biggest threats to North Grenville’s ecosystems. They grow aggressively, outcompete native species, disrupt biodiversity, and can even damage infrastructure and property. Through our Invasive Species Awareness Campaign, North Grenville in Bloom is helping residents learn to identify, report, and responsibly manage invasive plants in their own backyards and public spaces.

Why Invasive Species Are a Problem

• They spread quickly and dominate local plant life, choking out native wildflowers, shrubs, and trees.
• They reduce biodiversity, which harms pollinators, birds, and wildlife that rely on native plants for food and shelter.
• They can be harmful to people and pets—some cause skin irritation, are toxic if ingested, or increase fire risk.
• They are costly to control—municipalities and landowners spend thousands annually to manage them.

Not all weeds are invasive, and not all invasive species can be removed in the same way. That’s why proper identification and informed removal techniques are critical—cutting or disturbing certain species can actually cause them to spread further!

 Helpful Tools to Identify Invasive Plants

Use these free apps to identify and report invasive species right from your phone:

• iNaturalist – Upload plant photos to get community-sourced identification help.
• Seek by iNaturalist – Kid-friendly and doesn’t require creating an account. Great for quick scans.
• EDDMapS – A mapping tool for reporting invasive species sightings across North America.
• PlantNet – Offers plant ID through photos and links to botanic data worldwide.

Once you’ve identified a plant, check local resources to confirm whether it's invasive and learn the best way to remove it.

Weed Control in Leeds and Grenville

The United Counties of Leeds and Grenville has a designated Weed Inspector responsible for enforcing the Weed Control Act and addressing complaints about nuisance weeds that may affect human health, safety, or well-being. More information about the Weed Inspector’s role and weed control procedures is available on the Counties’ website: www.leedsgrenville.com/en/government/weed-control.aspx

Common Invasive Species in Ontario

According to the Ontario Invasive Plant Council, here are just a few of the invasive plants currently found in our province:

• Garlic Mustard
• Dog-Strangling Vine
• Phragmites (European Common Reed)
• Japanese Knotweed
• Goutweed
• Norway Maple
• Wild Parsnip
• Buckthorn (Common & Glossy)
• Periwinkle
• Himalayan Balsam
• Purple Loosestrife

 View the full list and profiles of these plants at: Ontario Invasive Plant Council Species List

 What You Can Do

• Learn to identify invasive species in your garden and neighbourhood
• Avoid planting known invasives—check before you buy!
• Use proper techniques for removal—some require digging, others chemical treatment, and some should be left to professionals
• Share what you learn and help others spot invasive plants
• Support native plantings and restore disturbed areas with species that belong

 Have questions or want to share a photo of a suspicious plant?
Email us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or tag us on Facebook at @NorthGrenvilleInBloom.

Together, we can protect North Grenville’s environment, one plant at a time.

We invite members of the community to play an active role in North Grenville’s submission for Communities in Bloom! Your participation can make a significant impact in several ways, such as:

• Assisting in structuring our tour to showcase the very best of our community
• Helping select winning entries for our photo contest through voting
• Leading initiatives like adopting planters throughout the municipality
• Proposing new ideas that promote community tidiness, environmental stewardship, and civic pride

Your contributions will help us shine as we continue to beautify North Grenville. Join us in celebrating our community’s spirit and making a lasting difference!

📥 2024 - Communities in Bloom Profile Book

📥 2024 - Communities in Bloom North Grenville Evaluation 

📥 2023 - Communities in Bloom North Grenville Evaluation