The red rose on the England rugby team's logo will be the only flower in the spotlight this year after Richmond Council has decided not to enter the borough into London in Bloom, despite celebrating the 25th year of Richmond in Bloom.

Last year, Richmond picked up awards across the board and went on to achieve worldwide success in Canada at the International Communities in Bloom awards.

Among the awards secured at last year's London in Bloom were overall gold and category winner, along with the silver gilt and category winner in common of the year, winner of the front garden award and winner of business premises of the year.

But the council said the borough's own 50th anniversary and hosting the Rugby World Cup, which would both have "significant street dressing and floral displays", meant a third floral flourish was out of the question.

The decision came as a particular blow to the organisers of the Richmond Borough in Bloom competition.

Pat Schooling, chairman of Richmond Borough in Bloom, said: "We are extremely disappointed to learn that the council will not be entering the borough for London in Bloom this year. The floral enhancement of the street scene and all public areas is surely an important element in the welcome offered to visitors at any time and has in recent years won numerous awards.

"However, London in Bloom has categories which we are able to enter separately and direct, so we are confident that some of the wonderful entries in our own competitions for front gardens, community buildings and businesses will continue to get special recognition.

"Recreation in our borough is not only about rugby."

Despite not entering this year's competition, the council said it was committed to investing in parks, open spaces and high streets through floral displays.

Councillor Pamela Fleming, cabinet member for environment, said: "2015 is a big year for the borough. It is the 50th anniversary of the borough and we are hosting the Rugby World Cup. Both of these events will involve significant street dressing and floral displays.

"We have therefore decided not to enter the competition this year, to enable us to focus our efforts on the immediate local events."

Coun Fleming added the council would use this year to review its approach to floral displays and to enhance bloom activities for when they re-enter the competition in 2016.