The City of Prattville Horticulture greenhouse is full to bursting with plants, flowers and herbs. During the cooler months, Horticulture staff member Kay Morris has been hard at work cutting, planting, cultivating and nurturing the foliage that has been grown from seed and cuttings. Other staff members help from time to time, but the greenhouse has primarily been Kay's labor of love. To put the contents in perspective, the picture at right shows just one half of the greenhouse.

Kay Morris was in the greenhouse pruning some vines before they get planted around the City. She said, "All this will be gone by the middle of May. It's all going somewhere in the City."

Planters and hanging baskets will be planted/decorated the week after CityFest. High traffic events take an enormous toll on the landscaping so Horticulture feels it is best to wait.

"This is the time of year that you've got to get with the program," said Ken Johnson. "We're in our full maintenance mode cutting [grass]. We're now maintaining Pratt Park. We're opening the Creekwalk Garden next week. It's our busy time of year."

A collection of tropical plants in the greenhouse were generously donated to Horticulturist Ken Johnson by local nurseries.

Horticulture has grown, from seed or cutting, coleus, ferns, Joseph's coat (several varieties), lemon balm, rosemary, Russian oregano, hibiscus, penta, and so much more.

The hanging baskets for downtown, along with some other foliage, are currently in the outside holding area to be filled prior to their installation.

Johnson and his staff have also established a cut flower garden. Once the flowers have matured, they will be cut and delivered to City offices to bring color and the outdoors to the employees.

The Horticulture staff has erected a sign on the front of the greenhouse dubbing it "Kenaway Gardens."

Be on the lookout over the next couple of weeks as Horticulture beautifies our city from the Welcome signs to downtown, the parks, and facilities.

The City of Prattville continues to be thrilled with the amazing work Horticulture does throughout the city.

Photo gallery

*Note: The Creekwalk Garden will be opened at 3:30 p.m. on April 29 with a ribbon cutting.

Penta flowers.