By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–The Helena Beautification Board hosted its annual Spring Planting Day on Saturday, April 14 and with the help of several volunteers, spruced up the Old Town area.

This year’s event focused on installing new plants around the refurbished Welcome Center Pergola. In total, 37 volunteers showed up to help plant all the new plants.

“It’s through events like this that the community can come together to work with a common goal to make our community as beautiful as it is,” Helena Beautification Board Chairman Chris VanCleave said.

Seventy-five Drift Roses were planted during the event along with 8 climbing roses that will, over the next couple of years, become as one with the pergola.

“We selected Drift Roses to plant in the area surrounding the pergola to allow for lots of color on low growing plants,” Helena Beautification Board Vice Chairman Brian Puckett said. “We strive to install sustainable plants that need very little maintenance. A sustainable landscape helps limit the amount of city resources that are needed to maintain the area.”

Community education is a critical part of each event the Helena Beautification Board hosts. This year the event promoted education around planting sustainable roses that require less maintenance and watering.

“We want the community to know and see how easy it is to have plants that are easy to take care of and will be beautiful with what God provides in watering,” VanCleave said.

The Helena Beautification Board is an appointed board of the Helena City Council. The board believes that people and places are profoundly connected and thriving communities are rooted in individual responsibility and action. They host a variety of opportunities for the community to come together and serve each year. Events are posted on the Helena Beautiful Facebook page and announced via Twitter at @TweetHomeHelena.

For more pictures from the planting day event, go to Helenabeautiful.com/2018planting.html.