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What's growing at Children’s Medical Center Plano?

Autumn sage, butterfly-attracting milkweed, feather grass, fragrant rosemary, Texas-proud bluebonnets, and many other flowers and shrubs will grace the grounds of Children’s Medical Center Plano, thanks to the Plano Garden Club.
Plano Garden Club, Childrens Medical Center Plano
Plano Garden Club, Childrens Medical Center Plano

Autumn sage, butterfly-attracting milkweed, feather grass, fragrant rosemary, Texas-proud bluebonnets, and many other flowers and shrubs will grace the grounds of Children’s Medical Center Plano, thanks to the Plano Garden Club. On October 15, hospital administrator Michael Wiggins welcomed and thanked the gardeners for taking on this lovely project.

Michael Wiggins, Childrens medical Center Plano

Member Arlene Englert explains, “The garden is placed in a great spot just beyond the two patient towers. We have designed it to be seen from the upper floors and to have some color all year.”

The garden is surrounded by a meadow, a walking trail, a section of White Rock Creek, and pastureland inhabited by a few horses. This vibrant and growing garden will complement the natural beauty of this spot located in the heart of busy north Plano.

The Plano Garden Club thoroughly researched the best options for this plot of ground that will be sun-baked in the summer, exposed to freezing temperatures in the winter, and subject to natural erosion due to the slope of the land.

Working with Erin Hoffer, City of Plano Environment Education Coordinator, and a five-member steering committee spearheaded by PGC Community Service Chair Al Baume, the club designed detailed plans. They also received tremendous assistance from other sources including the hospital, their landscaping company Superscapers, local master naturalists, FM Global who planted “seed balls” in the wildflower garden, and Pepsico who will be planting 48 flats of pansies for winter color.

Plano Garden Club, Childrens Medical Center Plano

It will be a big job for the Plano Garden Club, with all the soil preparation, irrigation, planting and plants, but they are thrilled to be able to bring natural beauty to children and their families who are facing difficult times. And perhaps it will spark a budding interest in gardening for the visitors who enjoy the sight, smell and touch of this living gift.

Photography by Mike Newman.