Volunteers sought to help with new garden

MADISON — More ferns, azaleas, ornamental grass, a gazebo, a walking trail and a functional irrigation system are coming to the city’s botanical garden at the historical Montgomery House in 2022 and he city is looking for volunteers to help plant and continue work on the irrigation system.

“Groups such as garden clubs, master gardeners, Boy Scouts and anyone willing to volunteer are welcome,” said Gary Tolbert, superintendent of parks and recreation for Madison. “We could use all the help we can get.”

Alan Hoops, landscape architect and director of environment and design for the city, along with others worked in the garden Tuesday morning, mulching plants.

Work will soon be underway on Phase 2 after the city received a second $25,000 grant earlier this month.

Phase 1 began earlier this year when the city received the first $25,000 grant from America in Bloom. The city provided a $25,000 match for a total of $50,000, and the city broke ground on Phase 1 in April with a ceremony in front of the Montgomery House.

Hoops said Phase 2 follows the garden’s master plan the Mayor and Board of Alderman approved in 2019.

The garden, as of now, has a work-in-progress trail, and various new plants people strolling through it can observe.

“We plan to continue the trail system in the garden, which leads through the plants and down to the entrance of the Montgomery House property off Main Street,” Hoops said.

Hoops said the city applied for the second $25,000 grant from America in Bloom earlier this year, and it was approved a few weeks ago. Hoops said the city hopes to finish Phase 2 by April 1.

“I’m looking forward to getting it done,” Hoops said. 

Future phases include a vegetable garden and a formal garden in the backyard of the Montgomery House for people to socialize and set up tents, Hoops said.

For more information about the botanical garden, contact Alan Hoops at Madison City Hall at 601-856-7116.