Master gardeners launch "Tulsa Blooms" progam with plant installation at KJRH studios

TULSA - The OSU Tulsa County Master Gardeners launched their new "Tulsa Blooms" project with an installation at the KJRH studios in Tulsa's historic Brookside district Thursday.

They placed 12 huge pots with a variety of sun-tolerant plants designed to catch the eye and promote the concept of beautification through planting.

The pots and plants, as well as the labor involved in designing and planting, were donated by Southwood Landscape and Nursery .

The installation features a number of decorative plants, including sweet potatoes, petunias, begonias, lantanias, and cannas.

Master gardener Bill Sevier said the idea first germinated while he and his wife Vija were on vacation.

They drove through Vernal, Utah, and saw 1,600 huge pots lining the entire main street of the town, filled with colorful petunias.

Inspired by what they saw, the Seviers brought the idea back to Tulsa.

"We'll be visiting with the Brookside Business Association," Bill Sevier told kjrh.com. "We hope they will pick up on this idea."

Jorja Jacobs, also a master gardener, added that they hope the BBA will create a master plan to coordinate installations all along Brookside.

They have also begun distributing door-hangers on homes and businesses whose occupants have taken the time and trouble to plant decorative flowers or plants.

The door-hangers simply thank the occupants for helping to beautify the city.

"People see me coming and think I'm soliciting," Jacobs said, "and when they realize that we're just thanking them for their plants their faces just light up!"

Brian Jervis is Coordinator of the OSU Tulsa County Master Gardeners. He oversaw the installation at the KJRH studios and worked with Southwood on the donations of the plants, pots, and labor.

Debbie Crites, the Business Office Manager for Southwood, told kjrh.com that the company basically jumped at the idea of helping the program.

She says that those interested in installing the pots can see samples at Southwood, which is located at 9025 S. Lewis in Tulsa.

"We have small pots, large pots, whatever they might need," she said. "We began talking about this project last July, and we're hoping it really develops into something special."

For more information contact the Tulsa Master Gardeners at 918-746-3701 or email mg@tulsamastergardeners.org .

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