Warwick in Bloom delivers more than just pots of flowers

Warwick - Each year volunteers from the community quietly prepare dozens of planters that decorate Village of Warwick streets and shopping areas. These decorative planters, however, begin their journey at the Scheuermann Farms and Greenhouses, in Pine Island, the staging area for teams from Warwick in Bloom (the sole U.S. champion of the International contest last year, Communities in Bloom), and the Warwick Valley Gardeners who collaboratively design, prepare and plant each of the containers so that they are both beautiful and sustainable throughout the year, from June through November. Warwick in Bloom (www.warwickinfo.net/wib) is an independent, non-profit group of community volunteers interested in educating and informing area residents about improving the quality of life. The group’s intent is to create a network of people whose common interest is the beautification of the community in which they live. Warwick in Bloom believes that by sharing ideas and information with others throughout the area, all parties can benefit. This common sense of purpose can lead to the both personal and community growth, the creation of lasting friendships, more beautiful living and working environments, and the enjoyment that comes from an active involvement in one’s community.

What’s in the planters?
Basic style
According to WIB volunteer Maureen Charde, the group did one basic style with two slight color variations this year for the pots on Main Street, to include the following:
Either a Nanho Blue or Nanho Purple Butterfly Bush for the center Three Solanum Jasminoides
Three Desert Sunset Lantana
Three Angelface Angelonia - dark purple or three Pink Angelface Angelonia
Three Scaevola, Fan Flower Blue
Five Rocky Mountain Orange Geranium
Pots with arborvitae
In addition there are 10 pots on Main Street with arborvitae and the same color theme,” she continued. According to WIB members and authors Deborah and Mike Sweeton (101 Commonsense Gardening Tips) container-gardening recommends that you place taller plants in the center and surround them with shorter varieties. But each neighborhood may have a different approach, depending upon circumstances.
Herbal theme
Sally Scheuermann suggested an herbal theme for the eight containers that adorn South Street. “We selected an herbal configuration that will complement the nearby Farmer’s Market each Sunday. Everything in these containers is, basically, edible; there are edible flowers, herbs, and ornamentals.”
The center of these pots contain ornamental Popcorn grass, surrounded by the following plantings:
Dill
Three Swiss chard - Bright Lights
Three Golden Sage
Three Red Mustard
Three Lady Lavender
Three Kale
Three Nasturtiums