The Pepperell Garden Club is contributing plantings of shrubs and ornamental grasses to beautify the Vietnam Memorial on Route 113 in Pepperell.  Low maintenance plants with high appeal including Golden Spirea and Pennisetum Bunny Grass will be planted along the concrete walk in front of the monument.  The work will be done by Garden Club members Dianne Kazanjian, Lucy Browne, Carol Swift and Lisa Moran, as well as volunteers from the Vietnam Memorial Committee.

“We have selected plants that catch the eye since this is a drive-by garden which is viewed by many people traveling on Route 113,” said Dianne.  “The plants are low maintenance and easy to grow with the greatest amount of visual appeal.”

The Garden Club has also coordinated other work to be done at the site.  David Mead of Mead Tree Service has trimmed the mature apple tree and provided it with deep fertilization to improve its growth.  Kazanjian Horticultural Services has made a contribution by re-seeding the grass around the site.

Work for 2010 will be completed in June.  There are future plans to expand the plantings with ornamental trees and perennials, create new walkways, and provide granite benches.  The site will be completed in two to three years.

Members of the Vietnam Memorial Committee, Joe Moore, Jim McKenna and Mike Femino have joined the Garden Club in planning the layout of the work for this year and future years.  Built in 1982, the Vietnam Memorial site has been used for ceremonies on Veterans Day and Memorial Day.  The Pepperell Garden Club and the Vietnam Memorial Committee are working together to raise funds to complete the project.

“There are two names of Pepperell Vietnam veterans that should have been engraved on the monument years ago but we have not had the funds.  The donations that we receive can help us improve the site and get the names of these brave soldiers on the monument,” said Joe Moore, Commander Elect of the VFW.

To contribute to this project, please send your donation to: Pepperell Garden Club c/o The Vietnam Memorial, PO Box 1093, Pepperell, MA 01463.

Photo credit:  Nancy Blaquiere