Ballard’s seasonal flower planters will stick around a little longer this year.
The Ballard Alliance has refreshed its 26 flower planters with new plants that are better able to withstand fall weather. The organization plans to keep the planters in place until mid-November, or until temperatures drop too low.
The planters were installed throughout the Ballard Business Improvement Area (BIA) earlier this year, bringing seasonal plants to sidewalks and street corners around the neighborhood.
Each of the 26 planters is sponsored by a local business or resident. Van Wingerden Greenhouses supplies the flowers, while the planters come from Earthplanter.
The Ballard Alliance also relies on volunteer planter caregivers to help prune the plants throughout the season.
This year, the organization introduced a new electric watering cart with a 65-gallon water storage capacity to help maintain the planters. The cart, dubbed Dolly Carton, is used by the Alliance’s planter maintenance assistant to provide weekly watering.
The Alliance initially installed the planters for the warmer months but decided to refresh them rather than remove them at the end of the summer. The new plants were selected because they are heartier and better suited to harsher fall conditions.
The planters are expected to remain around Ballard for roughly another month and a half, weather permitting.
Photo: Visit Ballard