...On 62 corners
...Around the Bandshell and at the Seawall
...Across North Iowa with Spring Blooms

With a major commitment to beauty, Central Gardens volunteers offered time and talents to manage three major beautification projects in 2003 which will be continued in 2004: the corner garden plantings in the historic Northside neighborhood and Central site; and development and planting of perennial and annual flower beds in Clear Lake City Park and launching of the new North Iowa planting initiative "Spring Blooms". The success of these projects is spreading as we have already shared the plans for them with other communities and individuals in North Iowa.

With 62 red, white and blue corner plantings...
As a visual gift to the city of Clear Lake and its visitors, four corners at each intersection in the Historic Northside Neighborhood on North 3rd and 4th streets and on the four corners at the Central Gardens site were planted with red geraniums, deep blue petunias and white alyssum surrounded by a limestone border. Beginning with plans for 41 corners, incredibly positive impact and interest from other parts of the community resulted in 21 additional corners being planted for a total of 62 beds planted. The coordinated visual impact quickly attracted significantly increased visitor numbers both in vehicles and on foot.

The project was a partnership between neighbors and Central Gardens. However, it also enlisted the energies of Boy Scout troops, Master Gardeners, friends and family of home owners and general volunteers who have continued to adopt corners for preparation, planting and/or daily maintenance.

Supported by grant funding, a dollar for dollar match donation from The Red Geranium and materials from other businesses, the overall cost was approximately $6000. The project not only has drawn city and tourist attention, but has resulted in development and strengthening of neighborhood relationships and an increase in neighborhood pride.

In the Bandshell window boxes and Seawall perennial bed...
What began as one project, planting the wrap around window box of the City Park Bandshell, quickly multiplied. For a planting list of the blue, pink and lime show stopping annuals used in the window box, click here. The Seawall perennial bed, designed by Country Landscapes, Inc., of Ames, Iowa, continues to grow and is maintained by our volunteers. Central Gardens volunteers water daily the beds, which visitors delight in as they stroll through the park.

With the Spring Blooms Project...
As part of its ongoing Commitment to Excellence, Beauty, Education and Community, Central Gardens of North Iowa is pleased to announce the "Spring Blooms-the Community Reflections" Project for 2003-2006.

The goal of the Community Reflections project is to establish North Iowa as a destination region of springtime beauty. Showy mass plantings of Narcissus at entry points in the towns and cities in 9 counties of North Central Iowa will be planted. The target counties are: Winnebago, Worth, Mitchell, Hancock, Cerro Gordo, Floyd, Wright, Franklin & Butler. To date, over 10 communities have joined the project for 2003, with planting beginning this fall.

Sponsored by Central Gardens of North Iowa and with assistance from area Master Gardeners of North Iowa, communities can participate by partnering as corporations, civic groups, or individuals to establish beds in their own community. For more information on how your community can join, email: [email protected]

Project Photo Page

Spring Blooms

Show Stopping Annuals