This feature was written by Ranae Rickels. The Editor took the photographs.
In partial sun on the corner of highways 78 and 30 are three large, white pots, contrasting the red brick wall. Each pot has a new addition–a trellis to support beautiful climbing vines. The two, outside planters have yellow, “John Clayton” honeysuckles, which provide both color and abundant fragrance. Shown above, the middle, white planter includes a white, early-summer-blooming, climbing hydrangea that will tolerate shade along the wall.
Along with the vines in the white planters are “Citronelle” coral bells providing a lime green foliage and summer bloom. Another plant, the taller Mexican cigar plant, a.k.a. “Firecracker, ” has dark green foliage and tubular red/orange flowers which attract hummingbirds. Included in the grouping is Lysimachia “Goldilocks” for its pretty, yellow color. Lastly, “Jenny’s Stonecrop,” sedum, a perennial blue-green succulent groundcover, completes the planters.
In full sun next to the road, are planters in full sun. They have plants that can tolerate more heat and use less water. “Angelonia-Blue Guardian,” a blue flower that complements the dark green leaves, is one beauty that is included in the planter. Another flower, known and loved by many for its easy care, is the common Zinnia, providing orange/gold color and attracting butterflies and bees. The hardy Lantanas “Lucky Red,” “Lucky Sunrise,” and “Lucky Yellow” are adding delicate beauty to the planters. Also, “Birthday Cake” Cleome, the spider flower, will add cheerful blooms from summer to frost. Lastly, Stonecrop “Angelina” in the sedum family thrives in hot and dry weather and adds yellow foliage that will turn to orange in winter.
There are shadier, cool areas in the pocket park across the street, next to the Morrison’s Heritage Museum, and the planter under the crabapple tree at Odell Public Library. They both shine in the shade with plants like Impatiens in white, red, purple, and coral hues. “Ice Cream” Celosia, also referred to as Cockscomb, add bold color under the shade trees. Begonias in red, a Calla lily, and Dichondra “Silver Falls” vines will be draping from the pots as they grow. Finally, the royal “Queen” Papyrus draws attention to the pot at the pocket park, with its circular thin green whorl in the center of the planter.
The Garden Club hopes you can take a moment to enjoy the beauty and fragrance of the variety of flora in the Morrison planters.
Flowers and plants were purchased locally at Spangler’s Landscape Design and K & R Greenhouse. Thank you to both businesses for helping with plant selection!