By Renee Unterman and Lisa Scott
Guest Columnists
Summer may be over and fall is knocking at our door but the Andrews Garden Club isn’t slowing down. Fall is a season for maintenance and planning, and that’s exactly what the garden club is doing.
Since the fall of 2024, they have been working on a plan restoration, renovation and beautification of the downtown Main Street corridor in Andrews.
The project took off spring 2025 with an extensive inventory of existing trees, shrubs and plantings with the goal of identifying problem plants that need to be replaced and which ones can be re-homed.
Club member Lisa Scott, who resides right off Main Street, photographed, analyzed problem plants and categorized crape myrtle trees which exemplified strong assets in regard to form, growth and flowering habits. Each plant was prioritized for replacement based on several vital considerations. Does this plant impede pedestrian or vehicular traffic? Is there extreme overgrowth from “sucker?” Healthy plants will have little overgrowth. The last question was how much maintenance is required for this plant to “show up and show off on Main Street? Show up meaning to grow tall and show off meaning blooming beautifully.
It has been noted by club members and citizens alike the resounding success of the hanging baskets, the planters and the old-timey footed bathtubs. They invite you to walk and see what beautiful sight is next.
The renovation/replacement of the current trees along Main Street will only enhance the street-scape, signifying the blossoming growth and change on Main Street and Andrews as a whole. With the cooperation of our elected officials this joint project will kick-off officially this fall. By spring, Andrews will “show up and show off” the bright future that is right around the corner.
The Andrews Garden Club fosters a love for gardening, promotes horticultural education and sustainable practices, beautifies the community through civic projects and conserves natural resources. They are a nonprofit, raising money for project through member dues, bulb and plant sales, and other ventures. Members generously donate their time to maintain the flower beds at the Andrews softball field and park, the Main Street bath tubs and planters, the trees along Main Street and the Valleytown Cultural Arts Center.
Tradition and beautification projects like this Main Street renovation are setting a standard that all Cherokee County residents can be proud of. There are more projects to come.
If you would like more information about the club, visit facebook.com/AndrewsGardenClub/about or reach out to any member through the Andrews Chamber of Commerce at 828-321-3584.
The writers are members of the Andrews Garden Club.