GARDEN CLUB A rose, she knows, adds to the memorial

Colorful chrysanthemums brighten the landscape at the downtown site.
By LINDA M. LINONIS
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The picture of weeds marring the appearance of the downtown John Young Memorial planted the seed of inspiration in Peggy Potts, a member of the Johnny Appleseed Garden Club.
The North Lima woman coordinates the garden club's planting and cleanup sessions at the memorial as one of the club's civic endeavors. On Tuesday, club members put on their garden gloves and got busy. A display of chrysanthemums now brightens the memorial at Federal Street and Fifth Avenue, where day lilies and Nearly Wild Roses already blossom.
Potts said the club's involvement at the John Young Memorial evolved after a garden club program in late 2002, presented by Roger Myers of American Beauty Landscaping. He talked to the club about roses and also mentioned his company's original work at the memorial.
The landscaping was suffering because it wasn't being maintained. That's what motivated Potts to get her garden club involved; so she contacted the Regional Chamber to find out how the club could help.
What got them started
Potts said the garden club, though not based in Youngstown, is part of the overall gardening community and was motivated to help "beautify the community at large." So in spring 2003 the club tackled weeding, cleaning and planting at the memorial. And they've been doing it since.
As part of that effort, the club participates in Streetscape, a downtown beautification effort of planting on the first Saturday in June. Potts said she coordinates the garden club's project with Sharon Letson, Youngstown Cityscape executive director.
The mission of Cityscape, a nonprofit organization, is the revitalization of downtown Youngstown and the gateways into the city through beautification, education and preservation. Among its projects will be fall bulb planting, Letson said.
Cityscape bought the mums planted by the Johnny Appleseed club from the Men's Garden Club of Youngstown. "We try to support and buy from local organizations," Letson said.
Praises CCA
Potts credited Community Corrections Association with assistance at the memorial.
"There isn't a water source nearby, so they help by bringing in tanks of water and hauling away plant debris," she said.
Peggy Henning, CCA operations coordinator, said three crews of residents have worked at the John Young Memorial and other sites by performing tasks such as cleaning, mowing and planting. "They give back to the community some of what they've taken," she said of CCA's community service program.
The garden club, founded in 1962, has 25 members with most living in Boardman and Canfield. Anywhere from four to 10 members may participate in the effort at the memorial, one of the club's civic projects. Others are the Beatitude House, Mission of Love Indian project and Easter Seal Angels.
As with most gardeners, plans for planting are always in the works. "More perennials will be planted next spring. They will help cut down the cost and maintenance," Potts said.
"We had to pick plants that would be drought-tolerant and could take full sun," Potts explained. Russian sage, lamb's ear, day lilies, cone flowers and Gerber daisies will provide color, visual interest and be low maintenance, she added.