Next year Jamestown, Virginia, America’s first permanent English settlement, will be 400 years old. Jamestown 2007, a state-sponsored planning group, is launching an 18 month national observance beginning in May 2006. Educational programs, cultural events, and live entertainment will reach millions live and via broadcast, drawing worldwide attention to Jamestown and Virginia. Our cities and towns are planning their own programs to add to these festivities. All across Virginia, communities and citizens will be improving their streets, parks, schools, businesses, and gardens for this salute to America’s birthplace. Check out www.americasanniversary.com for more details.

As part of a coordinated beautification effort for the America’s 400th Anniversary commemoration, Virginia Cooperative Extension has created a statewide gardening theme called America’s Anniversary Garden. These signature gardens consist of a planting design that includes red, white and blue plants. To prepare for the commemoration events,communities throughout the state are partnering with this initiative to draw tourists to their own special place in Virginia.  Beautification projects are underway to enhance area entrance corridors for many of our cities and towns to create an attractive and inviting “front door” to welcome visitors and residents alike.

But the commemoration activities aren’t limited to communities. You can plant your own America’s Anniversary Garden to be a part of the commemoration and show your American pride through gardening. Check out the Americas garden website listed in the description. On this site you’ll find a series of Virginia Cooperative Extension publications and support materials designed to guide both new and experienced gardeners in designing and planting your own AAG. The website includes links to all of our publications along with suggested plants for the red, white and blue color scheme.  The list contains plants that are easy to maintain, provide lasting color, and are suitable for most areas of Virginia.

In addition, many of the selections are Virginia natives. There’s also a suggested list of red, white and blue native plants. So if your gardening interest is more in habitat management instead of formal color gardens, you can still plant an America’s Anniversary Garden.

Remember that our plant lists are just suggestions. If these plants are unavailable or not appropriate for your area, use substitutions from our other plant lists. Ask your local garden retailer or extension agent for suggestions. Always select plants that are well-adapted to conditions of your individual planting site. We have a variety of additional publications on plant selection for specific landscape conditions and on planting techniques. These are available from your local Extension agent or on-line via Virginia Cooperative Extension’s website which is also listed in the description.
Join us in commemorating America’s 400^th Anniversary by planting your own America’s Anniversary Garden. Start planning and planting now so your garden will be at it’s best when the festivities begin.