Gardeners make museum flowery

About a year ago, a group of master gardeners in Aiken banded together for a common goal -- beautifying the grounds of Banksia, also known as the Aiken County Historical Museum.

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Charmain Z. Brackett/Correspondent

The Gardeners of Banksia have enhanced the grounds of Aiken County Historical Museum with flower beds and other landscape improvements.

Back | Next

Charmain Z. Brackett/Correspondent

The Gardeners of Banksia have enhanced the grounds of Aiken County Historical Museum with flower beds and other landscape improvements.

"The property was neglected for so long," said Bill Hayes, the president of the Master Gardener Association and a member of The Gardeners of Banksia.

Projects have included creating an entry garden, a bell garden and a portico garden.

The entry garden, so named because of its location to the driveway entrance, features the yellow Banksia rose, knockout roses, several grasses and an array of variegated pansies. The pansies will be removed when they are no longer in season and another flower added.

The bell garden is near the driveway exit, where the former Aiken County Courthouse bell has been placed. Several young camellias have been planted in the spot. Members of the Aiken Camellia Society donated the plants. All of the varieties are native to Aiken County.

There are also a couple of Japanese maples in the bell garden.

The portico is on a picturesque side of the museum, which is popular among brides for wedding portraits, according to gardener Al Snell.

Knockout roses have been added to the spot to make it even more desirable for photos.

While much has been done, the gardeners say there is much left to do.

"We've been concentrating on the very visible areas," said Jim Pierce, another gardener.

Additional projects are on the way, including a memorial garden to those who've lost their lives to cancer. The project will be a joint effort, with the Savannah River Cancer Foundation providing funding.

"The Gardeners of Banksia are a group of wonderful gardeners that have helped to transform this National Historic Landmark into a beautiful place to visit," said Elliott Levy, the museum's executive director." They, through their expertise and generosity of labor, have changed the grounds here at the museum from a drab and sad look to a place to be proud of."

Reach Charmain Brackett at czbrackett@hotmail.com.