Topiary Displays Add Splash of Color to Uptown
June 8, 2008
By JAMIE MADEWELL
Index-Journal staff writer
Greenwood, SC - People from all across the Lakelands came to Uptown Greenwood on Saturday to admire the 13 flower structures that were part of the Festival of Flowers’ inaugural Safari Topiary Display Kickoff.
- “It is amazing,” Mayor Floyd Nicholson said. “It really has taken the festival to another level, and I want to thank all of the Master Gardeners for all their hard work.”
The Lakelands Master Gardeners did a lot of the work on the new water feature in front of the Federal Building, as well as other topiaries. |
Scott Long, wife Beverley and mother Shirley admire the “Jeep Wrangler” topiary, sponsored by Quality Chrysler Dodge Jeep and Kia of Greenwood, and adopted by Piedmont Tech. (Staff photo by Jaime Madwell) |
Master Gardener Dwight Long said work began in January.
“Then since about February, this has been my second job,” he said. “The wonderful city has been great and very patient with us in helping us install the topiaries. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate their help and support.
“Billy Allen, public works director, and his crew have been phenomenal. For this being the first time, we didn’t really know how everything would fit together and where it would all go. And the Lakelands Master Gardeners are just great; but everyone has pitched in, and it is a community project.”
Many people were excited to see how well the topiaries turned out.
“I had a friend of mine from work who said the first thing I needed to see was the Jeep made of flowers,” Scott Long said. “And at first I thought, 'What?’ But it really is neat.”
Many other people were impressed with the accuracy of the Jeep’s shape and colors.
“I absolutely love all of it,” Pamela Levron said. “Whoever did the Jeep is really good with their hands, and the flowers are really pretty.”
Driving by with a friend, Debra Sieburg asked to stop so she could look at the topiaries.
“Each one is so incredible and so beautiful,” Sieburg said. “The river in front of the Federal Building made me speechless. I can’t imagine all the work and time that went into this, but it has definitely given Greenwood that little extra over all other cities.”
People even made a special trip into town just to look at all the topiaries.
“I came by just to see them because I knew they were here,” Hattie Morton said. “I just wanted to have time to walk and see them. I love them -- they are very beautiful and very unique.”
|