Austinites and Austin visitors can expect just as many flowers around town as they saw last summer.

Next summer will mark the 19th year of Austin being decorated with a menagerie of floral arrangements. Like last year, the flower program will have a total of 240 baskets. Mayor Tom Stiehm, Bonnie Rietz, Steve Davis and Hardy Geranium’s Vicki Trimble said Wednesday that Hardy Geranium will continue its contract for arranging the flowers. The flowers are grown at Hilltop Greenhouse in Hollandale before they’re delivered to Hardy Geranium and placed around town sometime near Memorial Day.

“I got a lot of compliments from visitors to Austin,” Davis said, who owns Steve’s Pizza in downtown Austin. “It really makes the town look better.”

The Austin City Council has again approved the city’s $10,000 portion of the project, along with another $10,000 donation from Hormel Foods Corp. City officials hope for an additional $20,000 in donations from local residents. All together, that money will pay for the flowers, arrangements, watering and care throughout the growing season.

Those who want to donate to the flower program may send donations to City Finance Director Tom Dankert, 500 Fourth Ave. NE.