The winners of two prestigious awards at this year's RHS Chelsea Flower Show, 'The Herbs' arrived on Monday this week to spend the summer in Midsomer Norton's Hollies Gardens and will now form part of the town's South West In Bloom entry.

The three wonderful plant sculptures of Parsley the Lion, Dill the Dog and Bayleaf the Gardener are all characters from 'The Herbs' TV show of the same name and were created by Bath and North East Somerset Council's gardening team. Last summer, they were on show in the Parade Gardens, before going to Chelsea and then to Edinburgh last week in time for Gardening Scotland 2014. So, Midsomer Norton has achieved quite a coup in being selected as their home for the summer. The Hollies Garden's latest display has already caught the attention of the Points West team, who were in the High Street filming The Herbs on Tuesday, 3rd June.

"There is no doubt that 'The Herbs' will form the jewel in the crown of Midsomer Norton's floral displays this summer and on behalf of the local community, I'd like to thank all those in B&NES, the Town Council and our local In Bloom team, who have worked so hard to make this possible. The impact of initiatives like this go far beyond the immediately apparent sight of 'nice flowers'. Media coverage will hopefully attract more residents and visitors to the High Street, which will in turn boost local businesses and the prospects of the hundreds of people they employ. This initiative is just the sort of partnership working with B&NES that, as Midsomer Norton Town Council, we would dearly like to see more of in the future," said Paul Myers, Mayor of Midsomer Norton.

"The Herbs have been fantastic ambassadors for Bath and have received media coverage world-wide. Everywhere they've been on show, from Chelsea to Edinburgh, they've been simply adored and I'm delighted they'll be spending the summer in Midsomer Norton where all residents of Bath and North East Somerset can enjoy them," said Barry Cruse MBE, Chair of Bath In Bloom Committee.

This week has also seen the Chamber of Commerce's 100 stunning hanging baskets go up across the town – paid for by local businesses. Year on year, the hanging baskets are much admired, to the extent that In Bloom teams from around the region have been spotted coming to try and understand how Midsomer Norton produces such a stunning display.

Meanwhile, Flowers by Nicola, the Town Council's horticultural contractor, has been busy with community volunteers and the Community Payback team designing and developing a host of new projects in the town. The team has helped eleven community groups to make 'It's Your Neighbourhood' entries, covering a wide range of projects across the town. In the Hollies Gardens, new beds have been created and a number of old shrubs have been replaced this year. Digging out these beds is back-breaking work – but well worth it when the new floral displays come into bloom in the coming weeks. The grassed areas are also receiving loving care and attention as never before to give a lush green feel to the green spaces. The colourful garden at the end of Rackvernal Road goes from strength to strength, as the perennial grasses and dog roses mature. The riverside tubs have also been replanted, providing a splash of colour along the full length of the town's most famous feature.

A final touch will be a display, including two scarecrows, which will be exhibited at Hampton Court Flower Show, before eventually being located by the telephone exchange, in South Road, to help celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Royal Horticultural Society. 

A Facebook page for the Midsomer Norton In Bloom entry will be online soon with more information about the town's In Bloom submissions.