Richard Schevitz and Debbie Davidson plant amsonia and daffodils at the City Market. (C) Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
A small, but hardy group of volunteers braved a windy, but sunny Saturday morning, April 11, to plant three new perennial beds at the Indianapolis City Market.
The beds were carved out of the lawn area and include the monument that honors Charles L. Whistler, the late Indianapolis attorney for whom the West Plaza is named. At Whistler monument, ‘Magic Carpet’ spirea (Spiraea x bumalda) and ‘Hetz Midget’ arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis*) intertwine to create ribbons of color. That bed continues with several prairie dropseed (Sporobolus heterolepis*).
In the point of the lawn near Market Street are nine black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa*) ‘Autumn Magic.’
'Autumn Magic' black chokeberry blooms in May. (C) Bailey Nursery
In the swath near the steps, we transplanted daffodils (Narcissus) rescued from the bed prep earlier in the week and several Arkansas blue star (Amsonia hubrichtii*).
Plants with an (*) are Eastern U.S. natives or cultivars of natives.
Thanks to Wendy Ford of Landscape Fancies, who developed the design and plant specifications, Marion County Master Gardeners Richard Schevitz, Debbie Davidson and Ken Hottell.
Ken Hottell plants black chokeberry. (C) Wendy Ford
We are grateful, too, for Doug Carroll and his crew of community service workers, who did the bed prep, including pulling out shrubs, myrtle and other plants.
On April 18, we’ll be back to plant the raised bed along Market Street.
Let me know if you’d like to volunteer: JoEllen@hoosiergardener.com
It’s so good to see volunteer efforts like this. They really make our communities better. Keep up the good work guys!