Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Botanical Garden a wise investment

I do not have a green thumb. My wife will testify to this: she doesn’t even like the way I mow our lawn. Generally, I leave all plant-related work to her.

This coming Saturday morning I will make an exception. At 7:00 (weather permitting), I’ll join my Leadership Lawrence County classmates at Hope Botanical Garden to help plant the “pink garden” which honors all those affected by breast cancer.  

According to Jerry Clayton - the plantsman, pastor, biologist and visionary behind Hope Botanical Garden - we will be planting roses, azaleas, and wigelia, working on paths, and preparing a concrete pad for a garden bench. I will simply do what I am told.

Jerry is the longtime pastor of Lakeview Baptist Church in Leoma and retired after 37 years in TVA’s biological research division. He purchased four acres near the church and is making his dream a reality for all of us.

He is doing everything the right way. Hope Botanical Garden is a nonprofit, publicly operated 501(c)3, donor-supported organization. It is governed by a volunteer board of directors: Jerry, Ron Majiros and JoAnn Fowler; and supported by an advisory committee: Don Simbeck and Julius Bivens. Other informal advisors are staff members at Huntsville’s Botanical Garden.

Their plans are very exciting. Its features will include topiaries, water elements, a space for native plants, floral displays, exotic plants, a Japanese garden, holiday displays, a children’s garden, visitor center and gift shop.

A recent addition to the plan is a garden honoring First Responders. Its centerpiece is a 15-foot oak tree – a fitting symbol of endurance and strength - donated by a local nursery in memory of Jason Dickey, the Lawrenceburg fireman who lost his life in February. More oak saplings for this space will come from a farm owned by Jason’s dad, Tim Dickey.

Work at the site began several weeks before the official groundbreaking last Tuesday. According to the website blog (HopeBotanicalGarden.org), volunteers planted 375 holly shrubs in December to define the perimeter of the site.  In March, volunteers planted 1,000 emerald green arborvitae seedlings that will grow to create a four-chamber maze.  Several trees have also been planted, including red maples that will put on a show for us in the fall.

How can you help? Lots of planting needs to be done over the next two weeks, and then the summer will be spent on irrigation and electrical projects. Volunteers can help in every phase.

Donations are welcome and because it’s a 501(c)3, everything is tax-deductible. Individuals, businesses, and clubs can make simple monetary donations through the Garden’s website, or choose to buy a Tribute in honor or memory of someone. The website offers items that can be purchased as tributes; another section shows tributes that have already been made. A Wish List section offers other ideas. Jerry can be reached at (914) 495-1923 if you have questions about anything.

I don’t know what emerald green arborvitaes, holly shrubs or wigelias look like, but I do know Lawrence Countians and the way we support good causes. Hope Botanical Garden is an investment in the future. A Greek proverb puts it best: “A society grows great when old men plant trees whose shade they know they shall never sit in.” 

The Garden opens in the spring of 2020 and will be a blessing for this community many decades – perhaps centuries – to come. It will provide education for all ages; bring visitors to Lawrence County; and offer peace and beauty in a world that’s often lacking in both.

 


 







 

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