On a very warm Saturday morning of July 12, 2025, several members of the board of directors for Montgomery Botanical Gardens participated in the Jackson Hospital Campus Beautification project. The main entrance area around the iconic JH initials was planted with begonias and mondo grass and the white rocks surrounding the initials were enhanced. Behind the entrance sign that displays “Jackson Hospital” a row of camellias were planted that will bloom in fall and winter to provide a beautiful backdrop to that space.
Jackson Hospital Entrance
Master Gardener volunteers from MBG, Suzanne Reaves and Billie Crawford, dug up Elephant Ear Plants from the MBG gardens, delivered them to the Jackson Hospital Campus and helped to plant them along the side of the main building spaced with striped Mondo Grass. The combination is truly an eye-catching venue. Billie also helped with blowing away the dirt and debris to clean up the areas.
Billie Crawford
Working with a large group of some very productive volunteers from the Church of the Highlands, a great deal was accomplished. Sunshine Ligustrum were installed along the entrance drive that will provide some relief and beauty for those who drop off or pickup patients, employees or visitors. Some of the “islands” of soil across the street were planted with Elephant Ears, Tri Color Jasmine, and Mondo Grass. Shrubs and an impressive topiary were planted in the planting box at the Goode Medical Building. Hedges were trimmed where needed. Numerous bales of pine straw were spread across planting areas, in the “islands” of plantings across the street in front of the parking deck and around the hospital grounds. This will enhance the appearance of each area and will also help to retain moisture for the plants.
MBG volunteers Sara Brown and Racile Casey filled two concreate planters with Curcuma, Angelonia and Pothos on each side of a side entrance that will brighten that space a great deal. Careful watering of these planters and each area where new plants were installed was the final step to a successful day of beautification.
Goode Medical Building
Maggie Stringer and Cathy Maddox, Master Gardeners and MBG board members, were very appreciated for their guidance, expertise and general assistance they provide to the volunteers as they prepared planting beds, installed plants and spread mulch and pine straw. Jackson Hospital staff will maintain the watering schedule as needed and monitor plants for any issues and for pruning as needed. MBG board member, Ken Mahan and his wife Mary Helen arrived to assist also
Ken and Mary Helen Mahan
MBG board members are happy to have this opportunity to assist our neighbor, Jackson Hospital, with this impactful improvement that enhances the appearance of our community. It was the neighborly thing to do.
