I read with interest your editorial on the red geranium becoming our city’s official flower. Oh boy, I didn’t expect a reaction like this to naming a flower for our city. I do agree with you about taking plenty of time for the council members to decide on issues presented to them. Thoughtful consideration is always a good idea.

When Councilman John Severtson asked about other cities having an official flower, I was the spokesman that said Pella has the Tulip Festival. I also found that Mantorville has Marigold Days and Hopkins has the Raspberry Festival. I said a program called “America in Bloom” has member cities all across the nation that encourages whole cities to enhance their surroundings by gardening together. It instills city pride and unity among residents working together to make their towns beautiful.

The idea to have a city flower originated three years ago. The mayor appointed a Beautification Committee out of suggestions from the Minnesota Design Team. Debbie Irman from the Tribune, Julie Loken from the city, Jean Park from Shades of Jade Garden Club, Randy Kehr from the Land Between the Lakes committee and other citizens along with the mayor made up the committee. We awarded certificates to the best yard and best garden in all six wards throughout the summer. The judges were members of Shades of Jade, and the Tribune published pictures of the gardens. Out of that committee came the idea to promote “Bloom where You Are Planted.” This year Oak Park Place, Destination Albert Lea and the Downtown Association gave 400 red geranium plants to students in all our elementary schools to take home for their mothers for Mother’s Day. So you see, this idea does have a long past history.

Certainly, no one is required to plant red geraniums. Gardening itself displays pride in your yard; gardening ultimately makes a town an inviting and pretty place to live. Destination Albert Lea, the Downtown Association and Oak Park Place wanted to promote the idea of working together to make Albert Lea beautiful. Choosing one certain flower makes a statement and calling it our “official flower” transforms the idea of just gardening into a city pride project. Who knows? Someday people may talk about Albert Lea’s beauty like Pasadena, City of Roses?

Mary Ellen Johnson

president

Downtown Association

Albert Lea