America’s Anniversary Garden Project

Don’t be left out!  Join your fellow Virginians in planting an America’s Anniversary Garden.

The very essence of modern America took root on the banks of the James River in 1607, in Jamestown, Virginia, 13 years before the pilgrims founded Plymouth in Massachusetts.  To commemorate the 400th anniversary of Virginia and America’s first permanent English settlement, many events will take place across the commonwealth.  See the America’s 400th Anniversary website at www.americasanniversary.com.   It states: “The goal of this very special Anniversary is to capture the spirit, imagination, and diversity of Americans and ……….. showcase Virginia’s unique role as the birthplace of modern America and the cradle of America’s democratic traditions, cultures, ideologies and principles.”

As part of the 18 month long celebration that begins May 2006, Virginia Cooperative Extension has developed America’s Anniversary Garden.  This project encourages individuals, groups, and communities to plant signature gardens with red, white, and blue color schemes.  It is hoped that every city and town in the commonwealth, will have the signature gardens at their town entrance corridors, in public gardens, sidewalk containers, hanging baskets, and in residential lawns.  Every Virginian can have an anniversary garden.

Whether you are a new or experienced gardener, you are encouraged to plant an Anniversary Garden.  It can be as small as a planter on your stoop or as extensive as a landscape.  Virginia Cooperative Extension will work with the VCE Master Gardeners, Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, the Virginia Flower Growers Association, the Virginia Society of Landscape Designers, and local Beautification Committees to promote the project.  A publication with information on plant selection, proposed planting designs, and planting care instructions will be distributed throughout the state through these organizations.  See web site: www.ext.vt.edu.

Some steps you may want to consider in planning your Anniversary Garden are:

1.  Location.  Consider the amount of sun and shade it will receive each day, the availability of water during dry parts of the season, and how visible it will be to passers-by.

2. Make a plan for your garden.  How large and what shape will it be?  Think about what types of plants you want to use.  Will you plant trees and shrubs, as well as annual and perennials? 

3. Prepare the soil.   Proper soil preparation is essential for the establishment and good growth of landscape plants.

         Before planting, test drainage by digging a 12 inch test hole and filling it with water.  If drainage is less than one inch per hour, relocate or raise the planting bed, or install drainage.

         Check the soil for compaction.  If the soil is compacted, you may need to replace it with a good loam soil or incorporate several inches of organic material into it.  This should be worked into the soil to a depth of at least 8 to 12 inches over the entire planting bed.  Do not add sand since that will increase compaction and decrease drainage.

         Next test the soil to determine if the pH should be adjusted or any nutrients added.  A soil test kit can be obtained at your local Virginia Cooperative Extension office

4. Planting.  For trees or shrubs, dig a hole the depth the plant was growing in the pot and twice as wide.  Do not amend the soil that will be used to backfill around the root balls of your plants.  This can cause water movement problems, making the plant roots too wet or too dry.  Some suggested trees are White dogwood or fringe tree.  Shrubs could be Red-twig dogwood, blue hydrangea, or Virginia sweet spire.

For annuals and perennials, select plants that have been acclimated to wind and sun, and plant after danger of frost.  Water well before planting.  To reduce stress on the plants, plant in the late afternoon or on a cloudy day.  Suggested annuals are red lantana or pentas, white angelonia or bacopa, blue salvia or verbena.  Perennials you might use red yarrow or daylily, white Shasta daisy or speedwell, and blue cranesbill or speedwell. 

Remove the plant from the container by gently knocking on the bottom of the inverted pot.  Do not pull on the stems since that may damage the plant.

Gently pull the surface roots away from the bottom of the root ball to prevent root circling.  If the roots are very compacted, make several shallow cuts through the roots on the side and bottom of the root ball.

5. Watering and Mulching

         Water well at the time of planting to settle the soil and encourage root growth into the landscape soil.

         During the growing season, plants need an average of one inch of water per week.  If rainfall is limited, supplement with irrigation.   Even in the winter, it may be necessary to water perennials, shrubs, and trees if there is not adequate rain or snow.

         It is best to use drip irrigation and water reservoir devices to conserve water, prevent soil erosion, and target the water where it is needed.  Over watering wastes water and may weaken the roots, leading to root decay.

Apply mulch immediately after watering newly installed plants.  Two to three inches is adequate.  Do not over mulch!  Do not let the mulch touch the trunks of trees or stems of shrubs as this could promote insect, disease, or rodent problems.  Organic mulches such as shredded bark, shredded leaves, or pine straw will gradually decompose and improve the soil.  Mulch will benefit your plants by conserving soil moisture, moderating soil temperature, and suppressing grass and weeds in your planting beds.

Do not use black plastic beneath the mulch because it blocks air and water exchange.

Check your garden centers for other red, white, and blue plants for your America’s Anniversary Garden.  Don’t be left out!

Written by members of the Heart of Virginia Master Gardeners

posted 3/1/07