A meeting is set for anyone interested in participating in Washington Wilkes' "America in Bloom" program, which is designed to help improve the visual appeal of neighborhoods, parks, open spaces, and streets through the imaginative use of flowers, plants, and trees.

Representatives from more than a dozen Wilkes County florists, landscapers, nursery owners, and other "green industry" professionals - and anyone else interested in the effort - will be meeting at the Mary Willis Library meeting room Thursday, July 20, at 7 p.m.

Sponsored by the WashingtonWilkes Chamber of Commerce, the America in Bloom program encourages involvement and coordinated action by citizens of all ages, along with municipal governments, local organizations, and businesses.

"Beautifying our city is not the only benefit of America in Bloom," said Donna Hardy, Chamber Executive Director. "It's a prime opportunity for our local landscapers, florists, nurserymen, and others to promote their products and services to a local audience. And it's a good opportunity to increase tourism, increase property values, and bring in more money to our hospitality and retail businesses, too."

Participating companies include: Crittenden Farms, Otter Creek Farms, Post Oak Farms, Double D Maintenance, Southern Outdoors, Fernacres Farm, Petal Pushers, J & M Landscaping, Greatful Designs Landscaping, Four Seasons Landscape Management, Otter Creek Gardens, The Garden Party, Hendricks Florist, Creel's Flowers and Gifts, Tom Duggan, and Gail Hill/ Armmie Leigh Hill Jr.