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The Lexington Garden Club has been awarded a $1,000 PLANT AMERICA Community Project Grant, sponsored by National Garden Clubs Inc., to support new or existing club projects in their respective communities.
The grants are awarded in honor of April, as Plant America Month. More than 180 grant applications were received for 2023 projects, and 58 grants were awarded. Lexington Garden Club is one of two garden clubs in Virginia to receive grant funds.
Lexington Garden Club has designated the grant funds to support the Gateway Triangle Garden, a project of Main Street Lexington, which marks the north Main Street entrance to Lexington.
Located at the spot where two streams once converged, sparking the founding of this historic town in 1778, the gateway garden will create a beautiful first glimpse of downtown Lexington and is intended to offer a consistent presence that will be less labor intensive than previous efforts to beautify the spot, a spokeswoman said.
Spearheaded by Main Street Lexington’s Design Committee, the new design was drafted by committee member and local landscape architect Arthur Bartenstein. The design incorporates a triangular hardscape anchored by three curved raised beds featuring seasonal plantings surrounded by brick pavers.
Lexington Garden Club grant funds will underwrite the cost of perennial beds of Sedum floriferum “Weihenstephander Gold” groundcover that will soften the three points extending beyond the raised beds.
“This grant offers our club a wonderful opportunity to partner with Main Street Lexington to provide a permanent and attractive introduction to our charming town for residents and visitors alike to enjoy in the coming years,” said LGC President Lynn Leech.
Club members plan to volunteer to assist in installing the perennial planting later this spring.
“Main Street Lexington appreciates Lexington Garden Club’s time and effort applying for the grant and is honored that the funds will go toward plants for the Gateway Triangle Garden. Congratulations and thank you,” said Rebecca Logan, MSL executive director.
