Green thumbs were not necessary as greens and other colors were added to the city’s downtown area.
On Tuesday morning 19 volunteers donated their time and talents to plant various containers in downtown
Bowling Green as part of the annual beautification of the area.
More than 600 plants were put in place.
Among those giving their time were members of the University Women’s Club including some of its Garden
Club members.
According to Barbara Ruland of Downtown Bowling Green, which coordinates the planting, this year the
process was done in record time.
“I think they will be beautiful this year,” said Mary Lou Riday, one of the regular volunteers in this
effort.
Betsy Solley, a recently retired Rossford teacher, was a first-time volunteer.
“I’m happy to be part of this. I always have appreciated the end result and now I have the time to be
here to get it started,” Solley said. “This is easier than planting at home, if you have a spade, you
can do this. Just dig a hole and plant it.”
She and others explained that Sue Wolf of Wolf’s Blooms and Berries, designs the effort.
Another first time-volunteer, Martha Conner, concurred on the simplicity, “It was easy, everything is
laid out.”
Conner explained how the theme runs throughout the downtown area, however, each planter is just a little
different.
“We were putting them in and we already got two compliments,” Conner said explaining, “I just want to
beautify the city.”
This year’s theme features a mix of coleus, begonias, and supertunias, along with mezoo and potato vine. 
Vibrant reds and greens are the dominant colors, accented by shades of purple on the variegated coleus
and in the grasses and vines.
Most of the small pots are supposed to have eight plants, while the big pots will have 13.
Jan Veitch, another has helped plant for the last three years.
Speaking of the of the design and plant choices, Veitch said,  “I love it. It looks very nice. Sue Wolf
does a great job of planning and organizing this.”
All the volunteers commented on how the placement of the plants within the planter is important to the
final design and look. Wolf explained to the volunteers to be sure certain plants that need space will
have room to grow by not placing them at the edge of the pots.
Though the effort benefits the community, the volunteers all took personal pride in the effort.
“I hate how people leave their cigarette butts in the plants. It’s littering,” Veitch said.
Riday’s pride is interesting as she is not originally from Bowling Green.
After 25 years in Pittsburgh, she retired here calling the city a “great place to retire.”
Riday added, “I love this city and happy to contribute. We’re just a lot of nice ladies coming to help
out.”
Ruland indicated not all the plants have been planted as some are still growing at the greenhouse. The
hanging baskets were scheduled to be put in place this morning.
Planting is just the first step as Downtown BG relies on volunteers to help maintain them by donating
about an hour a month for weeding and pruning. Many of those who planted will continue to volunteer but
others are also needed.
 Community members and groups are invited to adopt sections of the downtown for plant maintenance.  
Each year, it costs about $13,000 to plant and maintain the effort. Thanks to the generosity of local
artists and raffle participants, organizers raised $500 at the recent Art Walk.  Community members can
support the downtown flowers by designating The Downtown Foundation as the recipient of their Community
Rewards points at Kroger.
That can be done by visiting www.krogercommunityrewards.com and enter nonprofit organization number 33901
when prompted.
Tax deductible cash donations for the flowers can be made to the Downtown Foundation.
For more information, to donate, or to volunteer, please contact the Downtown Bowling Green office at
419-354-4332 or [email protected].