Back in 1971, then Garden Club of the Back Bay President Myrna Esser, along with John N. Williams of The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay, initiated Blossomtime: Newbury Street, a project to adorn 35 lamp posts on the entire stretch of Newbury Street with 70 baskets of petunias and vinca in hanging double planters. In preparation for this endeavor, she wrote to our area churches asking for their help in caring for the floral baskets. She was especially concerned with watering from May through the fall. The baskets were to be hung “above vandalism height but reachable by a solid length of hose and sprayer attachment hooked into a 17 1/2 gallon tank on wheels.”
Reverend Frederick Meek of Old South Church responded that after exploring several possibilities in person and by letter, he was unable to assume the responsibility, although he felt warmly toward the project. The Reverend Charles W. Griffin of the First Baptist Church was also contacted but appears not to have responded. Dr. Theodore Ferris of Trinity Church contributed financially to the project, but due to the fact that the planters would not be visible from the Church, was having trouble finding anyone willing to push around the tank.
A college age girl, unidentified in our archives, was found to try the job, and arrangements were made to keep the tank in the garage at Bonwit Teller’s (now Restoration Hardware) on Newbury Street. Anyone with pictures of the baskets is encouraged to forward them to info@bostonflora.com.