All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

City horticulturist Dixie Green discusses flowers you can look forward to

Photo courtesy Dixie Green

BUCKHANNON – Despite social distancing going on inside, Buckhannon’s famous flowers are growing beautifully outside, thanks to city horticulturist Dixie Green.

My Buckhannon recently talked with Green about her plans to brighten up Buckhannon’s cityscape.

Green has been the Buckhannon City Horticulturist since October and was inspired to help beautify Buckhannon when she learned the position was available.

“I graduated with a degree in horticulture at West Virginia University a few years ago and I was working as a landscape consultant/greenhouse manager for a while,” Green said. “I always have wanted to move up to this area because my dad is from around here and I always enjoyed coming here to fish.”

Bright orange lantanas / Photo courtesy Dixie Green

She said when she heard there was an opening in Buckhannon she jumped at the opportunity.

“People have already been commenting on some of the bulbs that are blooming around town,” Green said. “Some of them were here before I got here and some of them are what I put around town last fall. It offers a little bit of color for folks to look at during the spring of the year.”

Green said folks need to watch out for the additional pops of color springing up around Buckhannon in late April and early May.

“We are planning to put in a couple of new beds around town including one on Madison Street,” she said. “Coming into May, we will be hanging our baskets and sprucing up everything around the main city streets.”

She said her goal for Buckhannon is to keep working on what Rob Barbor started when he was the Buckhannon City Horticulturist.

“He really upped the ante with the flower program in Buckhannon,” Green said. “Other towns in West Virginia have taken heart from that and they have been doing their own flower programs similar to those in Buckhannon. I want to keep pushing that level and add on where I can and increase the varieties where I can.”

Green said she wants for residents and visitors to Buckhannon to say ‘Wow’ when they see the flowers.

“I want to keep that up,” she said.

White-and-pink begonias / Photo courtesy Dixie Green

Stunning additions to the flower beds are not limited to just flowers. Green said there will be a few more trees being planted around Buckhannon as well.

“Later this spring, I will be working with Buck Edwards, of Create Buckhannon, on planting a few more trees,” she said. “He wants to put in several dogwood and redbuds over by the Dollar Tree. Callie Cronin-Sams (city information coordinator) wants to put in a few trees and native plants in at the City Park so the kids can have something for a ‘nature spot-and-find.’ We will be working on that this spring.”

Making magnificent landscapes with trees, shrubs, bushes and flowers is only part of the goal. Green said these plantings attract bees, butterflies, birds and more.
“Most of the species we have around town are really good pollinators,” she said. “Most of them are native plants you can find around West Virginia. They are all great pollinators which is great for bees and butterflies.”

Green said this year, she will continue with the wildflower pots.

“We will have several of the wildflower pots around town because they are not only beautiful to look at, but using them cuts down on mowing time, which cuts down on labor and gasoline consumption,” she said.

“The city just removed several trees along Madison Street which were not good for our local birds,” Green added. “We will be replacing those trees with ones that are more bird-friendly.”

Green said if she were asked to pick out her favorite part of her job, she would be hard-pressed to point to just one segment.

“I love all of it,” she said. “I love growing the flowers, I love designing the things that will be going in around town, I love working with the great, hard-working people who work for the City of Buckhannon. There really isn’t a downside to this job. I love every part of it.”

Green said residents are welcome to help beautify the city by planting in their own front yard.

“Anything that people want to plant is great,” she said. “Most of the local garden centers carry everything that is naturally growing here or some version of that. All of it is good for our local wildlife and all of it is pretty. It’s hard to go wrong with plants.”

She said if folks want something with lots of color, she recommends butterfly bushes and standard flowering shrubs. Another planting she said to try is herb gardening.

“Now is not the time to plant herbs outside,” she said. “If folks are looking for something to do while staying at home, I recommend preparing flower beds while there is time. Now is the time to prep all of the beds by removing the weeds and getting them ready for planting.”

Residents should keep their eyes peeled for new and returning blooms as Green ‘grows’ with her job in keeping Buckhannon beautiful.

Share this story:

RECENT Stories

Buckhannon-Upshur Camera Club announces youth winners in West Virginia Strawberry Festival photo exhibit

The Buckhannon-Upshur Camera Club recognized youth photographers at the West Virginia Strawberry Festival photo exhibit, awarding Juliet Jenkins top honors and a special anniversary award.

Community member offers to fund anti-choking devices for Upshur County Youth Camp

After two medical emergencies at a family reunion, the Upshur County Commission agreed to purchase two LifeVac anti-choking devices for the youth camp, with the costs to be reimbursed by the Henderson family.

Upshur County Schools honors employees of the year

Upshur County schools recognized outstanding teachers and service personnel as Employees of the Year during a recent board meeting, with Victoria Norman and Brandon Kelley receiving countywide honors among several school-level awardees.

Buckhannon City Council Special Meeting Agenda: May 22, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council will hold a special meeting on May 22, 2025, with the agenda now available to the public.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 16, 2025

From joyful moments at the hospital with Strawberry Festival royalty to soil science projects, yard sale plans and community aid drives, Buckhannon is buzzing with local happenings and opportunities to get involved this week.

City of Buckhannon accepting bids for on-call skilled construction services

The City of Buckhannon is seeking bids for on-call skilled construction services, with bid documents available at City Hall and submissions accepted until 1:30 pm on June 16, 2025.

City of Buckhannon accepting bids for paving services

The City of Buckhannon is seeking bids for paving services until June 16, with bid details available at City Hall..

City of Buckhannon accepting bids for yard reclamation services

The City of Buckhannon is accepting bids for yard reclamation services until June 16, with bid details available at City Hall.

Buckhannon Banter: Get the local lowdown for May 15, 2025

It’s a busy week in Buckhannon, with the West Virginia Strawberry Festival in town all weekend!

Webb Grubb Day pays tribute to longtime Buckhannon law enforcement leader Virgil Miller

The eighth annual Webb Grubb Day honored the late Virgil Miller, former Buckhannon Police Chief and five-term Upshur County Sheriff, for his decades of dedicated law enforcement service to the community.

Klie Law Offices marks 20 years of fierce advocacy across West Virginia and Ohio

Klie Law Offices celebrated its 20th anniversary, highlighting its growth from a small rural firm to a four-city legal advocate known for aggressive, client-focused representation in West Virginia and Ohio.

City of Buckhannon prohibits smoking and vaping at West Virginia Strawberry Festival

The City of Buckhannon has banned smoking, vaping and all tobacco use in public areas during the West Virginia Strawberry Festival, with violators subject to fines.