Spring to Pop with Pink After Fall Flower Project

Submitted by Julie Livingston, co-chair Amherst's Plant It Pink project

Amherst’s Plant It Pink project, which has been selling pink spring flowering tulips and narcissus around town to benefit breast cancer research, held several educational and community planting events over the month of October – breast cancer awareness month. 

The children at the Clark and Wilkins schools were treated to a visit by Anabel Bulb and a very special presentation about the biology of tulips, and how to plant them. The children made special Plant It Pink crowns to wear to the event and colored a botanical drawing of a tulip. Each child was able to plant their own bulb in their respective school yards assisted by volunteers from the community and The Amherst Garden Club. 

Pictures were taken to mark the event and the children will witness their tulips and narcissus emerging in spring and experience pride of place along with the satisfaction that comes from nurturing their plants. The Middle School and Souhegan High School had their own planting events with assistance from community and Amherst Garden Club volunteers. The Souhegan event focused on community service and the notion of the pink blossoms in spring being a silent expression of support for those who have been affected by the disease. 

Amherst Garden Club has been planting their civic gardens with pink tulips and narcissus at Town Hall, Moulton’s Oval, Town Library, Brick School, The Wigwam Garden, North and South Triangle Gardens. 

Boy Scout Troop 22, planted their bulbs at The Amherst Congregational Church, where they meet regularly.  Bulbs have been placed at the Amherst Baptist Church and the Messiah Lutheran Church. 

Many Amherst residents are planting pink in their gardens, neighbors helping neighbors, and Summerfield, Atherton and The Fells condo associations have been planting pink displays for spring bloom. The Black Forest Bakery Café will be in the pink this spring along with Clark, Leighton and Thomas, PC, and Mike's Auto.  

The project is sold out for this year. Sales and contributions are being rolled up and an announcement will be made regarding the final proceeds earmarked for the American Cancer Society. As the last bulbs are planted and snow blankets the area, we can smile a bit as we think about the coming pink display this spring.

The Plant It Pink committee and volunteers express a sincere Thank You to the people of Amherst for their support. We can all be proud as we pass the pink flowers bobbing about in the spring sun. At the very least we may have a few well fed voles and deer but we will have accomplished the fundraising and educational aspects of the project! 

Maybe this fundraiser will support the purchase of the one beaker and researcher that finds the way to defeat breast cancer. The American Cancer Society breast cancer research fund will benefit from the proceeds and is very excited about proliferating other Plant It Pink projects in New Hampshire thanks to the program launched in Amherst.