The War Memorial Building has new, native landscaping.
Earlier this month, volunteers from the Master Gardeners and Master Naturalists groups filled the beds in front of the building and around the War Memorial with native perennials, shrubs and trees. Among them was Madison County High School and Blue Ridge Virginia Governor’s School senior Autumn Long. Seniors at the governor’s school complete a capstone project, focusing on a self-selected topic with a community service element. Long’s project is on the identification and importance native plans have in the ecosystem.
Long said her mother became interested in gardening, which then got her into gardening as a child so the topic was one she was familiar with. As part of her project, Long is completing a mentorship through the Clifton Institute, has given presentations to students at Waverly Yowell Elementary School and is participating in local gardening projects such as the one at the War Memorial Building.
“Native plants are an important issue,” Long said.
Master Gardner Anne Marie Pfaff said the War Memorial project was initiated by Madison County Facilities and Maintenance Manager Moonie Frazier. The previous plants around the building were high-maintenance and on the invasive plant list. Frazier asked that they be replaced with something native and easier to care for. The previous plants were removed during Madison Day in May except for one–a hydrangea.
Utilizing a $1,000 budget, the Master Gardeners purchased three trees and several plants.
“We tried to select things that will do well in front of a building,” Pfaff said.
According to Master Gardener Heidi Sage, the two native trees planted are Hop Hornbeam and Muscle Wood. Both grow to be 20-30 feet in 20 years. The third three is a Gingko which is not native. The trees were planted by the gardeners and naturalists with assistance from extension agents Adam Downing and Ashley Appling. The planted shrubs include varieties of St. Johns wort. Perennials planted include Boneset, Heucheras and grasses Blue Stem “Red Rooster” and Appalachian Sage. Sage said spring blooming daffodils and Snow Drops were also included for early color.
“It should be beautiful,” Pfaff said.
