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JACKSONVILLE Plantings replicate Peter Britt's garden Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2015 at 2:55 PM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2015 at 2:55 PM » Social News Volunteers on Saturday finished planting 232 plants and shrubs, along with numerous bulbs, aimed at replicating the mix of plants in Peter Britt’s gardens in the late 1800s and the early 1900s. A bequest to the Jacksonville Garden Club covered most of the planting cost. A second bequest of $220,000 made recently to the Jacksonville Boosters Foundation will ensure continued development and maintenance of the park located on First Street below the Britt Festival grounds. “There will be at least one more significant planting. We are working our way down to Highway 238,” said Jacksonville Boosters President Rob Buerk. “We will do infill when we see what works and what doesn’t work.” Britt was one of the first to see the gardening potential of Southern Oregon’s Mediterranean-type climate. His gardens were listed as a major tourist attraction in railroad brochures of the late 19th century. About 97 percent of the planting represents what was in Peter Britt’s garden based on research, Buerk said. Historical arborists Don Todt and Nan Hannon studied the garden for two years and reviewed original documents and photographs. Their work was the basis for a master plan developed by landscape architect Laurie Sager. “What we have eliminated from what they had done was plants that weren’t deer-proof,” said Buerk. “In the old days they shot the deer.” “We can’t have a whole lot of roses. (Deer) love roses,” said former Booster Club President Steve Casaleggio. “He had all kinds of things that deer would have loved.” Rainmaker Irrigation was hired to plant large items, such as 10 incense cedars that had 20-gallon root balls. Other historical additions included magnolias, red cedars, Oregon grape and about 60 ferns of various varieties. Three vine maples, several verbenas, about 25 boxwoods and a similar number of rhododendrons were also part of the plantings, said Buerk. Most of the plants were in one-, two- or five-gallon containers. Jacksonville Garden Club paid about $5,200 of the estimated $7,500 expense, while the foundation will cover the rest of the cost. The late Bob and Ruth Root left the garden club $10,000 for plantings in the garden. The $220,000 bequest to the foundation came from the estate of the late Marjorie Edens. Edens, who had been foundation president for six years, died April 8, 2014. During 2016, the boosters will retain a landscape contractor to weed, prune shrubs, remove debris and clear sidewalks at the gardens. Earnings from $200,000 of Edens’ endowed bequest will be used for the work. Plans to restore the gardens to their former glory were proposed in 2007, but planting has been slowed by a lack of funds. Working with the city and using grant money, the Jacksonville Boosters installed paved walkways in 2012 and put in new lighting along the path that leads up from Highway 238. City Council Tuesday approved a memorandum of understanding with the booster groups. The agreement spells out responsibilities for the parties. Jackson County transferred the 7.5-acre garden and Britt home site to the city in 2010. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Oct. 24, 2015 at 2:55 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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