My thing was to see some of the traditional plants again. I remember years ago all the daffodil bulbs. Plus this is also on the heels of the new gardening trend where you can make these really neat botanic tours. For instance, some beds host a collection of unusual perennials and shrubs. One bed is a rock garden filled with unique grasses and perennials.
Some beds host colorful annuals.
Russell, along with Arcata Main Street Director Paul Rex, plans to fill the center bed that surrounds the McKinley statue with red, white and blue flowering annuals. I want people to get interested in the different beds and enjoy the diversity that is out there. Once the beds become established, Russell hopes to publish a map or guide listing the location and names of certain plants. Despite the many volunteered hours, donated plants and diverse landscape designs of the individual beds, the garden club does face certain challenges. Shortly after the Plaza was planted with boxwood and daffodils last fall, vandals ripped up several vulnerable boxwood starts.