Merrill’s roundabout has a new look thanks to the efforts of the latest Lincoln County Master Gardener class. Over the past week, the center of the roundabout has been transformed into a garden by Master Gardener class members Lynn Zentner, Jenny Cordova, Amanda Mathis, Leah Klimek and Ann Stoeckmann.
The roundabout is an ambitious project for the prospective Master Gardeners, but all bring a unique background in horticulture.
Stoeckmann, for example, formerly owned Green’s Flower Shop in Merrill. Ironically, she was too busy with her work to take the Master Gardener class.
“It was on my bucket list (to be a Master Gardener),” she said.
And Cordova, who works at wholesale florist JW Perry, is following in her mother’s footsteps.
“My mom was a Master Gardener in Wood County,” she said. “I grew up on a farm and I really enjoy gardening.”
Zentner maintains the landscape beds at Merrill Golf Course.
The roundabout is a cooperative effort between the Master Gardeners and Park City Gardens, which will add the roundabout to the lengthy list of flower beds the group cares for around the city. The Master Gardeners group will be responsible for its annual upkeep.
“This is the largest project we’ve taken on,” said Zentner, who also is a board member of Park City Gardens.
Stoeckmann said she’s proud of their high-visibility class project.
“I’m glad we’re doing something that the whole community can see,” she said. “And, it’s good for visitors to see we care about our community.”
The Master Gardeners have received support for the project from the city of Merrill Street Department, Park & Recreation Department and Police Department.
The project required 15 yards each of compost and landscape mix, with 15 yards of black cherry mulch yet to be put down.
Flowers in the roundabout include iris, hostas, day lilies, cone flowers, petunias and a river of black-eyed susan. The mix of perennials and annuals will provide continuous color from May through September, Zentner said.
Most of the flowers were donated with any costs covered by Park City Gardens and a donation from the Merrill Police Association.