In April 2023, Cedell Brooks, Jr. Park in King George County was the headquarters for a garden tour hosted by the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club as a part of the Garden Club of Virginia’s Historic Garden Week.
Plant Central Rappahannock Natives campaign partners were excited that the series of native plant demonstration gardens installed at Cedell Brooks, Jr. Park were highlighted. The five gardens, including over 70 species, showcase the color, variety, and multiple co-benefits of native plants, and include a native plant meadow garden, pollinator garden, rain garden, hillside garden, and street side garden.
“The county envisioned the park as an educational, discovery and demonstration facility where visitors can learn about the flora and fauna of our region, and the conservation practices that can be applied at home,” explains Chris Clarke, Director of the King George County Parks and Recreation Department.
Plant Central Rapp Natives promotes use of plants that are regionally native to the City of Fredericksburg and counties of Caroline, King George, Spotsylvania, and Stafford. The George Washington Regional Commission received multiple grants from the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program to establish the regional campaign and the demonstration gardens. This included developing the campaign’s native plant guide. These funds as well as support from partners like the Master Gardeners of the Central Rappahannock Area, the Rappahannock Valley Garden, and King George County are key to the success of the Cedell Brooks, Jr. Native Plant Demonstration Gardens.
Live in, or planning a visit to, King George County? Take some time to enjoy a stroll through the flourishing native plant landscaping at the park!
Learn more about the Plant Central Rapp Natives Campaign.
Photo by Virginia Witmer, Virginia CZM Program
