It’s an annual rite of spring.
No sooner do the leaves emerge on the pin oaks surrounding the fountain at Fifth and Main than Floretum Garden Club volunteers gather to fill the corner planting beds with colorful annuals, helping ensure yet another summer of downtown floral beauty.
Tuesday morning saw a host of eager club members with trowels in hand, joining forces to fill the beds with hundreds of plants provided from the Edmonds city greenhouses.
City staff, including Parks Manager Rich Lindsay and horticulturalist Debra Dill, were on hand pitch in and let the volunteers know how much they’re appreciated.
“We simply couldn’t do this without Floretum,” said Lindsay.
The next event is set for 9 a.m. on May 14, when club members will gather to plant the beds at Hazel Miller Plaza.
“Everyone is welcome to help out,” said Floretum President Tia Scarce. “You don’t have to be a Floretum member. Just show up with a trowel, join us, and help fill our town with beauty.”
In addition to the corner beds, Floretum volunteers also plant the downtown hanging baskets, run educational programs and seminars on gardening topics, provide scholarships for horticultural students, and more. More information on the Edmonds Floretum Garden Club is available here.
— Story and photos by Larry Vogel
It is so heartwarming to see the Floretum club out making Edmonds beautiful. I was a member in the past but moved away and miss the great meetings of this club. The programs were so topical for Edmonds gardeners and the members were a very fun group not to mention the money raised for scholarships for people entering a horticultural career.
Marie Philipsen
We miss you, Marie!
Thanks to Floretum and other volunteers for adding color to our street corners and hanging baskets. It brightens my spirit as well as our streets.
Thank you to all who continue to bring beauty to our city!