The landscaping in front of Clanton Intermediate School received a facelift recently thanks to Chilton County Master Gardeners, Modern Woodmen of America and Chilton County High School agriscience students.

Harold Jarman with Modern Woodmen of America awarded a $250 grant to Master Gardeners to fund a project to revamp the long flowerbed in front of the school.

Master Gardeners member Ann Baker and CIS bookkeeper Terri Williams orchestrated the project after much discussion about how the red clay and rocks filling the flowerbed were not conducive to the overall façade of the school.

“It was just an eyesore,” Baker said.

CCHS agriscience teacher Marlon Harton sent four of his students to help Master Gardeners complete the project March 21.

MG volunteers Lanell Baker, Wally Walters, Lee Walters, Jackie Hickman and Baker worked from about 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. March 21 on the flowerbed, with help from CCHS students Nick Carroll, Cole Watley, Brandon Bolding and Caloub Baker.

Volunteers planted two Crape Myrtles, a Yoshino cherry tree, drift rose and ross creek abelia, then placed landscape pavers around the flowerbed to retain its contents.

“What they’ve done is beautiful,” CIS Principal David Seale said. “It’s the first thing people see when they pull up.”

Before the project started, the city of Clanton removed the old rocks and dirt from the flowerbed and cut the sidewalk for a rerouted drainage pipe, Williams said.

Walmart of Clanton donated bags of potting soil and mulch to Master Gardeners for the project, Baker said.

Volunteers also installed a soaker hose to keep the flowerbed watered during the summer.

“The school is very grateful to Mrs. Baker and the Master Gardeners,” Williams said. “I think it adds a lot to our school.”