Area garden clubs are joining the national effort to fight breast cancer through the Plant It Pink special project.

Pat Hathaway, the president of the Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, said the clubs will plant pink flowers and ornamentals throughout the year in support of raising awareness and finding a cure. There are 19 garden clubs in the area with about 500 members, which could add up to a lot of pink this year. It's such a happy color to spread, Mrs. Hathaway said.

Gardeners are planting pinks at hospital memorials, too. The National Garden Clubs Inc. and Susan G. Komen for the Cure joined to support the Plant It Pink, according to the clubs' Web site, www.gardenclub.org.

Nancy G. Brinker started Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of her sister, who died of breast cancer. According to the organization's Web site, it is the largest breast cancer organization and has raised $1.3 billion since 1982.

Donors to Plant It Pink can receive a packet of pink dianthus seeds, donated by W. Atlee Burpee & Co. You can support the cause by purchasing the Plant It Pink birdhouse, created by Louisville Stoneware Co.

Mrs. Hathaway said the local clubs will highlight pink at their April flower show, and club meetings will feature pink centerpieces that can be planted afterward. All of the clubs have a special project in support of Plant It Pink, and members are selling plants to raise money for their projects, she said.

Reach Sandy Hodson at (706) 823-3226 or sandy.hodson@augustachronicle.com.