Master gardeners presented with landscaping challenge at new church

Three master gardeners had their mettle tested when they took on the task of planning and landscaping the grounds of the new Immanuel Baptist Church facility on 45th street.  Pat Williams, Ed and Donna Guthrie, the three Master Gardeners, were joined by Pat and Don London and a host of volunteers to install shrubs and trees prior to the dedication ceremonies last Sunday.
Landscaping around new construction is always a challenge.  Equipment and foot traffic compacts the ground around the building.  Even the most careful workers drop debris that gets incorporated into the clay soil that is typical of the north part of Shawnee.
The result of this effort is very impressive.  A portico on the west side of the building created a planting area that gets limited sun.  It features several variegated holly and Indian Hawthorn bushes.  The area is bordered by one of the Stonecrop Sedum species ground covers.
A small prayer garden is located outside the entrance to the prayer room.  The garden features a slab of granite in front of two Foster holly bushes.  This monument is engraved with the Ten Commandments.  A granite bench, a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Williams, is in front of dwarf Loropetalum shrubs. In the center of the garden, a heart shaped bed is planted with pansies.
On the north side of the church, the side that is seen from 45th street, the gardeners have planted a row of Nandinas domestica.  These are the shrubs that have clusters of red berries that will contrast with the white fence behind them. 
A group of azaleas is tucked into a corner on the north east side of the building.  These plants came from the garden of Mrs. Charles Porter who generously shared a large number of her plants with Master Gardeners.  Others were planted at the Senior Citizens Center downtown.
The church building site is on a hill so that the ground level entrance on the west is actually the second floor for those who enter on ground level on the east.  A white picket fence is along the edge of the hill that transitions from west to east.  Chinese variegated privet shrubs are planted in front of the fence and will provide an attractive hedge as they mature.
Several Chinese Pistache trees are planted between the building and the street.  The area around the large church sign on 45th has been filled with day lilies and will be bordered by edging.
A pond on the east side of the property is backed by a stand of evergreens.  Along the banks of the pond redbud trees and crape myrtle bushes are growing.  Daffodils were planted on the banks.
Everyone who was involved with this project deserves congratulations and thanks from the Shawnee community for this beautiful installation.  The committee members know that their job isn’t finished.  Watering and caring for the plants, especially during the first year will be a big task, but they are up to the challenge.