Downtown Atlanta's In Bloom
Beautification Initiative Adds To Attractiveness of Downtown

Residents and workers of Downtown Atlanta may soon feel like everything’s blooming. Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) announce Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom, the latest effort to establish Downtown Atlanta as a beautiful 24-hour live/work environment.

Based on similar programs in Seattle, WA and Victoria, B.C., Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom will feature 150 flowers baskets, “Lamppost Hayracks” and dual hayracks, which will be installed in the following areas:

• Peachtree Street from Mitchell Street to Ralph McGill Boulevard;
• Andrew Young International Boulevard from Piedmont Avenue to Williams Street;
• Marietta Street from Centennial Olympic Park Drive to Peachtree Street;
• Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Center (one block) on Auburn Avenue; and
• around the “gateway to Downtown” in the vicinity of Five Points MARTA Station, Underground, and surrounding thoroughfares.

The flower baskets will stay up from May through October, and will be hold a variety of flowers, based on their sun exposure needs. See a listing of all the different planter varieties and what flowers are used: In Bloom Varieties (44K, ).

Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom originated from the CAP/ADID StreetsAlive Program. A survey issued by CAP/ADID and conducted by Schapiro Research Group affirmed that half of the respondents cited hanging flower baskets on light poles among the top three things that would make Downtown cleaner and more attractive. The funding was donated by the Kendeda Foundation through Trees Atlanta.

This initiative is one of the Downtown components to the Mayor’s City Beautification Program, and is the work of a partnership that includes CAP/ADID, Trees Atlanta, Post Landscape, Georgia Power Company, City of Atlanta, and the Kendeda Foundation. Procurement of the hayracks, flowers, planting, installation and maintenance costs were included in the donation.

Downtown Atlanta's In Bloom
Fact Sheet

Description
Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom is the latest effort of Central Atlanta Progress (CAP) and the Atlanta Downtown Improvement District (ADID) to establish Downtown Atlanta as a beautiful 24-hour live/work environment. Other successful Downtown initiatives include SunTrust’s Lunch on Broad, Wednesday WindDown, Turner First Thursdays and Downtown Restaurant Week.

Background
Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom originated from the CAP/ADID StreetsAlive Program. The concept was affirmed by a survey issued by CAP/ADID, and conducted by Schapiro Research Group, which determined that half of the respondents cited hanging flower baskets on light poles among the top three things that would make Downtown cleaner and more attractive. The program is based on similar programs in Seattle, WA and Victoria, B.C.

Partners
Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom is a component of the Mayor’s City Beautification Program, and is comprised of a partnership that includes CAP, ADID, Trees Atlanta, Post Landscape, Georgia Power Company, City of Atlanta, and the Kendeda Foundation.

Sponsor
Downtown Atlanta’s In Bloom is made possible by a private donation from the Kendeda Foundation. Maintenance costs are included in the donation.

Details
One hundred fifty flower baskets, “Lamppost Hayracks” and dual hayracks will be installed in the following areas: Peachtree Street – from Mitchell Street to Ralph McGill Boulevard; Andrew Young International Boulevard from Piedmont Avenue to Williams Street;, Marietta Street from Centennial Olympic Park Drive to Peachtree Street,; Martin Luther King Jr. Historic Center (one block) on Auburn Avenue,; around Five Points MARTA Station (“the gateway to Downtown”), Underground, and surrounding thoroughfares.

Timeframe
The flower baskets will stay up from May through October and will be comprised of various flowers, based on their sun exposure.

Care & Maintenance of Baskets
Instruction by Todd Link from Post Properties Landscape Division.

Watering
During the upcoming months as the heat increases and the rain decreases the watering schedule will need to be monitored and adjusted. The small hanging baskets will require watering more often than the larger, hay baskets especially those that are in sunny locations. Todd advised us against adding more small hanging baskets in areas where there is little shade (Upper Alabama for example). The “water saver” that was used when the baskets where assembled should last at least 6 months. When someone is doing a physical check of the baskets, check in several location in each basket. It’s a good idea to add water, after is absorbed and then continue soaking, 3 to 5 minutes per basket.

Fertilizing:
Peter’s available through Grow South (770) 938-1881 in 20/25 lb. Bags of a 20/20/20 formula. 1 tablespoon per gallon or 48 oz. Per 150 gallon. Todd recommends either diluting in a couple of gallons of warm water before adding to the large container or in the large container, add some water, then the fertilizer then top off with the remaining 150 gallons. It’s important that the fertilizer completely dissolve. Each basket should be treated every 2 to 3 weeks. When adding new plant material, Osmocote timed released fertilizer is recommend, available at Home Depot.

Pruning:
Using sharp scissors or pruning shears remove the brown tips or stems that have bloomed. Because of the wind, some of the long steams may blow into the center of the pot; they need to be draped back over the edge. The sweet potato vine can grow quite long and will need to be kept to about the bottom edge of the pot. Remove any dead plants and replace as needed.

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