Recently, the Garden Club of Virginia (GCV) celebrated urban landscapes at its fall forum, recognizing the Main Street programs of both Gloucester and Lexington, Virginia for their efforts to bring shade, flowers and fresh greenery into historic hardscapes through innovative techniques and plantings. Techniques highlighted by the GCV include:

• Large-Scale Self-Watering Planters: These planters are the perfect solution to bring trees and flowers onto the sidewalk. They’re large enough to hold tree-form hydrangeas and flowers and only need to be watered once per week.

• Small Scale Pots and Window Boxes: These are easy for business owners to create and maintain, especially if they have support from local garden club members to help create beautiful displays that also interpret the business.

• Alley Plantings: The potted plantings (woodland plants) make spaces look lighter, fresher and more pleasant.

• Evergreen and Dried Floral Displays in Winter: These displays can keep the dreariness of winter at bay. When pots and window boxes die down, wreaths, swags and roping can keep spaces feeling fresh an lively.

• Hanging Baskets: These baskets add greenery, shade and color to downtown. Because they require consistent watering, it remains important to have a partner, such as public works, to water and fertilize the baskets regularly.

• Pocket Parks, Gateways and Historic Gardens: Complex plantings to highlight specific spaces and stories of the community can have a positive impact. These projects typically require partners like local government and Master Gardeners to help establish and maintain plantings.

Click here to view two videos (bottom of page) created by GCV, showcasing beautiful downtown Lexington and Gloucester. We highly encourage everyone to watch these videos for great ideas on how to “green up” hardscapes in historic areas. Per usual, Virginia Main Street (VMS) communities continue to shine throughout the Commonwealth!

Founded in 1920, the GCV numbers nearly 50 clubs and more than 3,000 members pursuing a mission to protect and conserve Virginia’s natural beauty; to restore and preserve historic gardens and landscapes; and to provide educational opportunities in support of these efforts.

Lead Image: www.lexingtonvirginia.com