If you’ve driven or taken a stroll down Vienna’s Maple Avenue this summer, you might’ve noticed more pops of color than in previous years.
The Town of Vienna wants to draw more attention to the vivid flowers lining its main downtown streets with a new, self-guided “Vienna in Bloom” streetscape tour. The town’s economic development and parks and recreation departments unveiled a map last Friday (July 19) showing the locations of dozens of different flowers and nearby local businesses.
“Colorful flowers adorn the sidewalks, infusing the area with a fresh and lively atmosphere,” a brochure for the walking tour says. “Take a delightful walk around Vienna, admire these blooms, and explore local Vienna businesses along the way!”
There are currently 36 types of native flowers in bloom along Maple Avenue and Church Street, from fringed bluestar and wood sage to slender mountain mint and black-eyed susans, according to the Town of Vienna Economic Development Department.
They were planted by contractor LSG Landscape and bought from Merrifield Garden Center as part of a beautification initiative that updated the downtown landscaping for the first time in 20 years.
Started last September, the project replaced 81 landscape planters on Maple Avenue and 46 planters on Church Street, bringing new shrubs, flowers, ornamental grasses and both annual and perennial plants.
LSG was also tasked with removing any trees in poor or declining condition and replacing them with new trees. A select few trees were also removed “to allow more light and reduce root competition with the new plant installations,” Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman told FFXnow.
“The tree removal recommendations were based primarily on the condition of the trees and replacement of those trees would have happened regardless of the streetscape design/install project,” she said. “Replacement was determined based on landscape design to ensure success of the new plantings and to provide the visual of a tree lined street.”
In total, 21 trees were removed on Maple Avenue, where 33 new trees were installed, and on Church Street, five trees were removed and 15 new ones added.
Feedback on the streetscape project has been decidedly positive so far based on conversations with local residents and businesses as well as social media comments, according to Vienna Economic Development Director Natalie Guilmeus.
Mayor Linda Colbert also says she “has received numerous positive comments about the colorful perennials and annuals of the newly planted streetscape.”
“Some business owners have specifically highlighted the positive impact on the customer experience and expressed pride in being part of a community that cultivates such a welcoming and beautiful environment,” Guilmeus told FFXnow. “The self-guided tour also adds an element of fun, allowing the community to appreciate the streetscape while supporting the Town of Vienna’s local small businesses.”
In addition to being online, the “Vienna in Bloom” map with a directory of the flowers and businesses on the tour route can be picked up at Vienna Town Hall (127 Center Street) or the Vienna Community Center (120 Cherry Street SE).
